The Government today (September 21) gazetted the United Nations Sanctions (ISIL and Al-Qaida) Regulation, which came into operation today.

      "The Regulation implements sanctions against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities imposed by the United Nations Security Council under Resolution 2368," a Government spokesman said.

     The sanctions imposed under the Regulation include:

* prohibition against the supply, sale, transfer or carriage of arms or related materiel to ISIL and Al-Qaida;

* prohibition against the provision of advice, assistance or training related to military activities to ISIL and Al-Qaida;

* prohibition against making available to ISIL and Al-Qaida any funds or other financial assets or economic resources, or dealing with funds or other financial assets or economic resources of ISIL and Al-Qaida; and

* prohibition against entry into or transit through the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by individuals associated with ISIL or Al-Qaida.

     The Government gazetted today (September 21) the proposed site formation and infrastructure works at Pok Fu Lam South, Hong Kong, to serve the anticipated traffic demand induced by the future public housing developments there.

     Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plan and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:

Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

Southern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre, 
G/F, Ocean Court,
3 Aberdeen Praya Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong

District Lands Office, Hong Kong West and South, 
20/F, Southorn Centre,
130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

     The gazette notice, scheme, plan and location plan will be available at www.thb.gov.hk/eng/psp/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.htm.

     Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Housing an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
 

• By post or by hand to the Transport and Housing Bureau's drop-in box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
• By fax to 2868 4643; or
• By email to gazettethb@thb.gov.hk.

     A notice of objection should describe the objector's interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Housing not later than November 20, 2018.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

　　The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson reminds the members of the public today (September 21) that 12 general out-patient clinics (see table below) under HA will continue to provide services on the holiday following the Mid-autumn Festival next Tuesday (September 25).  Patients requiring medical consultation could make advance booking for an appointment through the telephone system as usual.  Furthermore, an Accident & Emergency (A&E) doctor of public hospital urges the public to stay vigilance during the festival to prevent accidents, particularly not to play with burning wax and handle glow sticks carefully to prevent accidental ingest chemicals or splash into eyes.

      According to the HA spokesperson, to help find the appropriate family medicine doctor and related clinic service of their choice, public are welcome to call the HA Infoline (2882 4866) for information on holiday general out-patient clinic service. They can also browse the Primary Care Directory of Department of Health at www.pcdirectory.gov.hk, or download the mobile App of Primary Care Directory.

　　With the approach of the Mid-autumn Festival, HA consultant emergency physician Dr Lau Chu-leung advises the public that burning wax is a very dangerous activity.  It will cause burn injuries with permanent scars.  In severe cases, the mobility of limbs may also be affected. The temperature of hot wax is even higher than that of boiling water. It will possibly lead to third-degree (severe level) burns.  Patients with third-degree burns will have their dermis and skin nerves seriously damaged and the wound will not be able to heal by itself.  These patients will require a prolonged management and treatment.

　　"In case of accidental burns, patients are advised to take some simple first-aid measures, such as rinsing the wound gently with clean water or to wrap the wound with clean gauze or plastic wrap to minimise the risk of infection." Dr Lau added.

　　Furthermore, glow sticks are frequently used in festival for fun. Dr Lau reminds the public to handle glow sticks carefully and avoid overbending it.  The chemicals in a broken glow stick may splash into eyes, causing injury to the cornea and impair vision. Parents should prevent children from ingesting the chemicals of glow sticks accidentally. The chemicals can cause irritation and pain to the mouth, and dizziness in extreme circumstances.

　　"Anyone accidentally splash the chemicals in the eyes should rinse with clean water for 10 to 15 minutes immediately and seek medical consultation nearby. People should dispose the glow sticks properly after the festival as glow sticks will wear out and more easily break on bending." said Dr Lau.
 

Consultation Hours:
9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm

     The Transport Department (TD) today (September 21) said that the relevant departments continued to work at full strength to clear road surfaces affected by Typhoon Mangkhut so as to resume the remaining affected public transport services as soon as possible. Up to now, most of the major roads have been cleared.  However, more time is needed to clear the fallen trees on some roads.
 
     A spokesman for the TD reminded members of the public that they should pay attention to the traffic situation and the latest public transport service arrangement this morning before starting their journey. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and drive carefully.
 
     As at 5.30 am today, the latest public transport situation is as follows:

(I) MTR Services

Rail services         – all rail lines, service normal
Light Rail services – service normal
MTR Bus services  – normal frequency, except routes of some services have to be diverted
 
(II) Franchised Bus Services

    KMB Route No. 51 is still suspended.  The public may consider using the alternative arrangements indicated below:
 
 

 
     All other franchised bus services will continue providing service this morning, but some resumed routes will be temporarily diverted subject to the road conditions.

 (III) Ferry Services  

     Except the ferry service between North Point and Hung Hom, all inner harbour and outlying island ferry services have resumed normal.
 
     The spokesman reminded members of the public to stay alert to the latest traffic news and allow more time for travel. For details of the above public transport arrangements, members of the public can visit the TD's website or get the information through the TD's mobile application "HKeMobility".

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (September 20) in Ho Chi Minh City attended Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) events and met with senior officials of Vietnam to strengthen Hong Kong-Vietnam trade and economic ties.

     This morning, he attended the HKTDC's "In Style‧Hong Kong" Symposium before touring the related trade exhibition of brands and designs from over 130 Hong Kong companies.

     He said at the Symposium that by working together, Hong Kong and Vietnam will have much to gain long down the road.

     Given Hong Kong's excellent business environment, the quality professional services it provides, as well as the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last year, he said Hong Kong is well positioned to help Vietnam enterprises expand their businesses.

     Mr Chan then met with the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, Mr Nguyen Thanh Phong, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Mr Lê Hoài Trung, separately.

     At the meetings, he highlighted that Hong Kong is actively participating in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's development and the transport network between Hong Kong and other cities in the Area is highly efficient and convenient.  He expressed the hope that Hong Kong can strengthen co-operation with Vietnam on all fronts to seize the huge opportunities brought about by this national development initiative. He also provided an update on the latest development of innovation and technology as well as financial services in Hong Kong.

     In the afternoon, Mr Chan visited the headquarters of a Hong Kong enterprise and its projects in the city.

     He also paid a courtesy call on the Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr Wu Jun, to thank him for supporting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in forging co-operation with ASEAN.

     Addressing the HKTDC’s gala dinner this evening, Mr Chan stressed that with its strong professional services from financial services and cross-border logistics to creative design, Hong Kong can help Vietnam enterprises expand their businesses in the markets of the Mainland and the Asian region.

     He also underlined Hong Kong's commitment in promoting the development of art, culture and creative industries.

     He said that as trade and economic activities between Hong Kong and Vietnam continue to grow, he hoped that the two places, both meeting points of the East and the West, can forge stronger co-operation in different areas, such as art, culture and tourism.

     Tomorrow (September 21), Mr Chan will continue his visit to meet representatives of the Vietnamese business sector. He will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon.