Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 17) that the following swimming pools, which were closed earlier on due to urgent clearance work after the typhoon, have been reopened.

Hong Kong Island
——————–
     Eastern District:
          – Chai Wan Swimming Pool
     Southern District:
          – Pao Yue Kong Swimming Pool
  
Kowloon
———
     Sham Shui Po District:
          – Lei Cheng Uk Swimming Pool
          – Sham Shui Po Park Swimming Pool
          – Lai Chi Kok Park Swimming Pool
 
     Kowloon City District:
          – Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool
 
New Territories
—————–
     Tsuen Wan District:
          – Tsuen King Circuit Wu Chung Swimming Pool
 
     Kwai Tsing District:
          – Kwai Shing Swimming Pool
          – North Kwai Chung Jockey Club Swimming Pool
          – Tsing Yi Swimming Pool
 
     Yuen Long District:
          – Yuen Long Swimming Pool
          – Tin Shui Wai Swimming Pool
 
     North District:
          – Sheung Shui Swimming Pool
          – Fanling Swimming Pool
 
     Sha Tin District:
          – Ma On Shan Swimming Pool
          – Hin Tin Swimming Pool
 
     Sai Kung District:
          – Sai Kung Swimming Pool

     Tuen Mun District:
          – Tuen Mun Swimming Pool
          – Tuen Mun North West Swimming Pool
          – Jockey Club Yan Oi Tong Swimming Pool

     Islands District:
          – Mui Wo Swimming Pool
          – Tung Chung Swimming Pool

     Meanwhile, Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool in Wong Tai Sin District is temporarily closed until further notice due to urgent clearance work after the typhoon.

     The street food of Hong Kong shone at the Lyon Street Food Festival held in Lyon, France, from September 13 to 16. The Festival was supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) in co-operation with the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

     Being one of three guest cities along with Montreal and Izmir, Hong Kong presented the typical food culture of Hong Kong, highlighting the Sham Shui Po neighbourhood in particular. The unique Hong Kong street food egg waffles and grid cake was one of the highlights and was well received by the French for its special appearance and rich taste. In addition, Hong Kong dim sum fused with French cuisine delighted and surprised visitors.

     The Assistant Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Mr Paul Leung, officiated at the opening of the Hong Kong pavilion. Mr Leung said that the event was a great opportunity to present Hong Kong as an exciting tourist destination with its unique mix of Eastern and Western food culture, in addition to the unforgettable shopping experience, the scenic countryside and hiking trails, and the beautiful islands and beaches. He encouraged people in Lyon to visit Hong Kong to feel the vibrancy of Asia's world city.

     The Lyon Street Food Festival, held for the third time this year, aims to showcase special and tasty street foods from different parts of the world. Workshops are held to give visitors first-hand experience in preparing street food. The Festival has built up a reputation as an iconic annual event in Lyon and attracted about 20,000 visitors last year.

          

     The Social Welfare Department has announced that as public transport services affected by the typhoon have yet to return to normal, members of the public are advised not to take their children or family members to child care centres, centres providing after-school care programmes, elderly services centres or day rehabilitation units, including sheltered workshops and integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres tomorrow (September 18). Members of the public who have a genuine need to receive the services mentioned are advised to contact the service units concerned and confirm their operating conditions in advance.

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (September 17) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of low pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza in Stanislaus County, State of California, the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products, including poultry eggs, from the county with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong imported about 142 000 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and 240 million poultry eggs from the US in the first six months of this year.

     "The CFS has contacted the US authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 1.1 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $1.1 million from a male passenger arriving at Hong Kong International Airport on September 15.
 
     A 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Cameroon via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on September 15. The man was found to be suspicious upon Customs clearance and was escorted to hospital for examination. The man discharged the suspected cocaine on September 15 and yesterday (September 16). He was then arrested.
 
     He was charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (September 18).
 
     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
 
     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).