The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 20) investigating two suspected food poisoning cases affecting three persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

     The first case involved two females, aged 29 and 37, who developed vomiting and nausea about four to five hours after having lunch at a restaurant in Wan Chai on September 18.
 
     Another case involved a 31-year-old female, who developed similar symptoms about five hours after having lunch at the same restaurant on the same day.

     All affected persons have sought medical advice. Among them, one required hospitalisation and has been discharged. All patients are in a stable condition.

     "Initial investigation revealed that all those affected had consumed the same mushroom dish. We have alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident and investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 

• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

     The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with six Hong Kong container terminal operators (CTOs) today (September 20) at the Customs Headquarters Building. Laying down various co-operative arrangements for sea cargo customs clearance, including the liaison mechanism, cargo detention notification and case reporting, the MoUs underpin a closer collaboration between the department and the CTOs.

     Speaking at the ceremony, the Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Boundary and Ports), Ms Louise Ho, noted that the department values its co-operation with the CTOs, adding that both parties have all along been working closely and pragmatically to handle issues relating to sea cargo customs clearance.

     "Upholding the principles of gate-guarding and trade facilitation, the MoUs manifest the sincere partnership between the two sides, enhance cargo clearance efficiency and ensure effective law enforcement," Ms Ho said.

     "By setting out clearly the signatories' roles and obligations, partnership will become smooth and a sound foundation for exploring of other co-operative arrangements in the future is also laid."

     Following are the six CTOs which signed MoUs with the C&ED today:
 

1. Asia Container Terminals Limited
2. COSCO-HIT Terminals (Hong Kong) Limited
3. CSX World Terminals Hong Kong Limited
4. Hongkong International Terminals Limited
5. Modern Terminals Limited
6. River Trade Terminal Company Limited

     On the same occasion, the C&ED also held an annual award presentation ceremony for the Sea Cargo Pre-shipment Declaration Scheme. A total of 50 sea cargo carriers/companies were awarded for their active participation in the Scheme.

     The department has implemented various schemes, including the EMAN Statement One Submission Scheme and the Advance Cargo Information – River Trade Vessel Scheme, to promote voluntary submission of sea cargo data since 2009. Under these schemes, carriers and cargo agents can submit advance cargo information to the C&ED prior to vessel arrival. Apart from expediting the cargo clearance process, these schemes also pave the way for the mandatory submission of advance cargo information under the Trade Single Window which will be implemented in the future.

    

     The Transport Department (TD) today (September 20) reminded the public that to facilitate tram track renewal work at Des Voeux Road Central, parts of the traffic lane of Pedder Street will be temporarily closed from about 10am this Saturday (September 22) to 6am next Monday (September 24).

     Appropriate traffic signs will be erected on-site to guide motorists.

     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of the above road sections will be relatively busy. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion. Members of the public are advised to stay alert to the latest traffic news through the media or the department's website (www.td.gov.hk).

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, visited Tsuen Wan District today (September 20) to get a better grasp of the district's latest developments. He met with members of the Tsuen Wan District Council (TWDC) and visited the Sam Tung Uk Museum, the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre and a co-working space.

     Mr Yau first met with TWDC members to exchange views on developments and issues of concern in the district, including matters relating to telecommunications, broadcasting and tourism development.

     Mr Yau then proceeded to visit the Sam Tung Uk Museum. He toured the exhibition and learnt about the architectural layout of the village and its unique living spaces. Sam Tung Uk is a 200-year-old Hakka walled village declared a historical monument and converted into the Sam Tung Uk Museum after restoration. Visitors can know more about the unique culture of walled villages.

     Mr Yau also took the chance to pay a visit to the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre, which was set up at the Sam Tung Uk Museum by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office. He was briefed on how the Centre enhances the public's understanding and awareness of Hong Kong's intangible cultural heritage through various educational and promotional activities.

     Mr Yau rounded off the district visit by meeting with young entrepreneurs at Smart-Space 8, a co-working space, to get to know their experiences in starting up businesses. Smart-Space 8 is a co-working space under the Space Sharing Scheme for Youth (SSSY) to support start-ups in emerging industries and young people who are starting their own businesses. The scheme provides supporting services including entrepreneurial training to help young entrepreneurs to make their dreams come true.

     Mr Yau said the SSSY is premised upon tripartite collaboration among the business sector, non-government organisations and the Government. The scheme provides practical support in terms of innovation and entrepreneurship under which young people pursuing careers in innovation and technology, creative industries, arts and culture can rent co-working spaces or studios with a lower-than-market price. He expressed the hope that more enterprises will join the scheme, thereby nurturing more local creative talent and driving the development of start-ups.

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Independent Review Committee on Hong Kong's Franchised Bus Service:
 
     The Independent Review Committee on Hong Kong’s Franchised Bus Service will hold hearings to receive oral evidence from the invited parties as follows:
 

 
     The Committee's rules of procedure for the receipt of oral evidence and notice to the public attending the hearings to receive oral evidence are available on the Committee's website (www.irc-bus.gov.hk/eng/press.html).

     Having received and considered written submissions from various interested parties, and in order to obtain further information, the Committee is in the process of inviting specific interested parties to give oral evidence to the Committee through nominated representatives. Thirteen hearings have been held so far to receive oral evidence from:

(A) Representatives of:

• the Transport and Housing Bureau;
• the Transport Department;
• Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited and Long Win Bus Company Limited;
• the New World First Bus Services Limited and Citybus Limited;
• the New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited;
• Tai Po, Sha Tin and Sham Shui Po District Councils;
• ZF Friedrichshafen AG and Openmatics s.r.o.;
• the Community for Road Safety;
• the Motor Transport Workers General Union, including its sub-unions of Citybus Branch, KMB Branch, Long Win Bus Branch, New Lantao Bus Branch and New World Bus Branch;
• The Federation of Bus Industry Trade Unions, including its members of KMB Staff Union, New World First Bus Company Staff Union and Citybus Limited Employees Union;
• the KMB Employees Union;
• the Staff Rights Association of KMB;
• the Monthly-Rated Drivers Union; and
• the Part-time Drivers Union

 
(B) Former employees of the KMB:

• Mr Alok Jain; and
• Mr Raymond Cheng
   

(C) Employees of the KMB:

• Ms Debby Wong; and
• Mr Kelvin Yeung

(D)  Expert appointed by the Committee:

• Professor John Stanley

 
     A transcript of that evidence (and a translation in Chinese) is available on the Committee's website (www.irc-bus.gov.hk/eng/transcripts.html).

     The Committee wishes to invite family members of the victims and passengers on board the bus involved in the fatal incident on Tai Po Road, and other recent serious incidents involving franchised bus services, to attend the hearings, and invites them to contact the Secretariat in advance of the hearings if they wish to attend. Except for seats reserved for such persons as well as the media and specifically identified interested parties, all available seats in the hearing venues will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. A registration counter will open at 9.30am on September 24 and 8.30am on September 27.

     Enquiries regarding the hearings may be directed to the Secretariat of the Committee at 2867 5324.