The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, September 3, 2018 is 104.1 (down 0.1 against last Saturday's index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, September 1, 2018 was 104.2 (up 0.2 against last Friday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation:
 
     The Committee on Home-School Co-operation (CHSC) will upload the e-version (in Chinese and English) of the Primary School Profiles 2018 to the Internet on Wednesday (September 5). The Chinese and English printed versions of the profiles will be delivered to kindergartens and kindergarten-cum-child care centres for distribution to parents with children at the K3 level of the current school year.  
           
     The profiles provide basic information on more than 500 local primary schools covering school facilities, teaching staff information, class structure, performance assessment, school life, extra-curricular activities, school mission and school characteristics. To provide parents with more comprehensive information for making school choices, two columns on "Whole School Approach to Integrated Education" and "Education Support for Non-Chinese Speaking Students" are newly added. The information is provided and verified by individual schools.
           
     The publication of the profiles aims to provide parents with essential school information so as to enable them to choose a suitable school for their children. The profiles also include the "Message from CHSC Chairman", which states the key points for parents when choosing schools.
           
     The e-version of the profiles enables schools to update their information on the Web directly, whenever necessary, so that parents can obtain the most up-to-date school information.  
           
     The profiles are divided by districts. Parents of children who will study at Primary One level in September 2019 will receive a copy of either the Chinese or English printed version of the profiles for their districts of residence through their respective kindergartens or kindergarten-cum-child care centres. For children not attending kindergartens or kindergarten-cum-child care centres, parents may obtain a copy from the School Places Allocation Section of the Education Bureau (EDB). 
           
     The public can access the e-version of the profiles by visiting the Primary School Profiles website at www.chsc.hk/primary or m.chsc.hk/primary (mobile version). Copies of the printed version will be available for public reference at District Offices, public libraries, Regional Education Offices and Central Resources Centre of the EDB.
           
     For enquiries about the profiles, please call the Regional Education Offices (Hong Kong: 2863 4646; Kowloon: 3698 4108; New Territories East: 2639 4876; and New Territories West: 2437 7272) or the CHSC secretariat at 3698 4376.

     Parents who want to apply for a Primary One (P1) place in government or aided schools for their children in September next year under the Primary One Admission (POA) System can obtain application forms starting from Wednesday (September 5) until October 2.

     A spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) said today (September 3), "All Hong Kong children born on or before December 31, 2013, are eligible to join the POA System for admission to P1 in September 2019 provided they have not attended any primary schools and have never been allocated a P1 place.

     "Parents of children who are attending kindergartens or kindergarten-cum-child care centres may obtain the application form, explanatory notes on how to complete the application form and a POA information leaflet from their kindergartens or kindergarten-cum-child care centres. For parents of children not attending kindergartens or kindergarten-cum-child care centres, the documents can be obtained from District Offices (Home Affairs Enquiry Centres) and the EDB's Regional Education Offices and School Places Allocation Section."

     At the Discretionary Places Admission stage, the school chosen is not restricted to the school net in which the child resides. Parents wishing to apply for a POA discretionary place in a government or aided primary school should submit the completed application form together with all supporting documents directly to the school during school office hours between September 24 and October 2.

      "Commuting daily from the Mainland to schools in Hong Kong will impose pressure both mentally and physically on children. Parents of children residing in the Mainland should consider seriously the impact on students' learning. They should also understand the situation of various boundary control points and make early transport arrangements on their own for their children to travel to and from schools," the spokesman reminded parents of applicant children residing in the Mainland.

     "Only one application should be submitted for each child. If parents are found to have applied to more than one government or aided primary school, their application for a POA discretionary place will be rendered void," he said.

     If parents are applying only for the POA Central Allocation, they may return the completed application forms with supporting documents during the period from September 24, 2018, to January 25, 2019, to the EDB's School Places Allocation Section at Office 2, 2/F, Manulife Financial Centre, 223 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.

     "When completing the POA application form, parents should fill in the actual residential address of their child. If a false address is given by parents to secure a P1 place for their child under the POA System, the application will be rendered void and the P1 place allocated will be withdrawn. The public are encouraged to report suspected cases of using a false address for POA applications to the School Places Allocation Section by calling its hotline at 2832 7700," the spokesman said.

     Information on the procedures for the different stages of POA, revised arrangements for applicant children residing in the Mainland to participate in the Central Allocation stage of the POA System and the discretionary places quota of each school will be available from Wednesday (September 5) on the EDB's 24-hour hotline at 2891 0088 and its homepage, www.edb.gov.hk;  (path: Education System and Policy>Primary and Secondary School Education>School Places Allocation Systems>Primary One Admission System).

     Parents who wish to enrol their children in Direct Subsidy Scheme primary schools, private primary schools or primary schools of the English Schools Foundation should apply directly to these schools as they are not included in the POA System. Parents should note that children who have accepted the offer of P1 places in Direct Subsidy Scheme primary schools will not be allocated P1 places in government or aided primary schools through the POA System.   

The following is issued on behalf of the Council for Sustainable Development:

     The Council for Sustainable Development (SDC) announced today (September 3) that seven new projects have been approved for funding under the Sustainable Development Fund.

     This is the 13th round of applications under the Fund, with a total of 50 proposals received. The seven approved projects, lasting from 12 to 24 months, involve a total grant of about $6.5 million. The seven projects are:

* No More Plastic Action by Greeners Action for a period of 24 months with a grant of $1,700,300. This project covers a comprehensive campaign to engage the public and local shops in addressing the abuse of plastic, which is one of the major environmental concerns globally. This project will also help promote the culture of “Use Less, Waste Less”;

* 'E' Pioneer Project for Promoting Sustainable Consumption of Biological Resources by New Home Association Limited for a period of 24 months with a grant of $1,267,692. This project couples the promotion of sustainable development with the policy objective of providing support for ethnic minorities to help with their integration into the community;

* Sustainable Consumption Behaviour Study by the Consumer Council for a period of 18 months with a grant of $1,200,000. This project follows up the SDC's recommendation of encouraging territory-wide study to examine behavioural changes on sustainable consumption of biological resources as raised in the last public engagement exercise;

* Green Tourism, Green Lives: Promoting Sustainability in Hong Kong’s Hospitality Industry by Soap Cycling Limited for a period of 24 months with a grant of $1,035,000. This project covers a wide range of community education and engagement events to draw the public and the hospitality industry's attention on waste issues in hotels, and encourage them to practise waste reduction in daily lives or operation;

* Lets – Less Movement by School of Everyday Life Limited for a period of 18 months with a grant of $686,940. This project advocates the engagement of the community in practising a green living style, which will support the promotion of SDC’s current public engagement on Long Term Decarbonisation Strategy;

* Be the Ranger of Sustainable Bio-resources by Jane Goodall Institute (Hong Kong) Limited for a period of 24 months with a grant of $476,400. This project will engage a large group of primary school students and their parents in the promotion of sustainable development to the community; and

* 'Imagine Sai Kung' Sustainable Development Campaign by Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups – Jockey Club Verbena Youth S.P.O.T. for a period of 12 months with a grant of $114,059. This project makes use of the applicant’s well-established community ties in Sai Kung to encourage upcycling of used materials, support the local economy and foster community building.

     A spokesperson for the SDC said, "The seven approved projects are conducive to promoting sustainable practices in the community, thus meeting the objectives of the Fund. They can enhance public understanding of sustainable development and encourage the application of sustainability principles in daily life."

     Details of these projects are available at www.enb.gov.hk/en/susdev/sdf.

     The Sustainable Development Fund was set up in 2003 to provide financial support for initiatives that will help enhance public awareness of sustainable development and encourage sustainable practices in Hong Kong. Including this round of applications, a cumulative total of 74 projects have been approved for grants from the Fund, involving a total amount of about $76 million.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 3) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From August 26 to September 1, three community-acquired LD cases were reported. They are:
 

1. A male patient, aged 61 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Ka Ming House, Ka Shing Court, Fanling;
2. A male patient, aged 58 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Tai On Building, Sai Wan Ho; and
3. A male patient, aged 58 with good past health, who lives in Stage 4, Marina Cove, Sai Kung.

     "Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of September 1, 63 LD cases had been reported in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, there were 72 and 75 cases respectively.

     "Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels," the spokesman said.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

1. Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
2. Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
3. If using these devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not tap water. Also, clean and maintain them regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

     
     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute the infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow medical advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile (not distilled or tap) water to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain them regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2-µm filters. Never leave stagnant water. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

     1. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
     2. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
     3. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
     4. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.