Author Archives: hksar gov

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) always strives to maximise the potential of its public housing sites to provide affordable public rental housing (PRH) for qualified low-income families with housing needs, irrespective development constraints amid the scarcity of land resources in Hong Kong. Long Ching Estate in Yuen Long is a good recent example.
 
     “With a small site area of only 0.43 hectares, Long Ching Estate has heavy traffic on three sides, causing significant road traffic and railway noise. Its proximity to adjacent private developments posed further constraint,” a spokesman for the HA said today (August 26).
 
     “Thanks to the ingenious layout designed by the HA’s architects, a noise shield was created to reduce the noise impact from road traffic and a railway on the residential flats and the inner court by adopting the stepped height of the two domestic blocks, namely Yat Long House and Ching Long House. In addition, the potential of the small site was optimised in terms of plot ratio and height limit,” the spokesman said. 
 
     Located close to the railway, Yat Long House has a single-aspect block design, with all units facing the inner court so as to be oriented away from the noise sources. This 19-storey building also acts as a noise barrier for the 30-storey Ching Long House. To further mitigate noise nuisance, the architect installed noise barriers and architectural fins on the exterior walls facing On Ning Road and Wang Chau Road.
 
     “Due to the site’s proximity to the adjacent private developments, the architect had to plan the positioning of the residential blocks carefully. The distance between the two domestic blocks is maintained at a minimum of 20 metres. We have also aligned the blocks with the wind corridors. This allows better overall air ventilation in the locality and minimises window-to-window views,” the spokesman said.
 
     Though the estate is small in size, its facilities are comprehensive, including sitting-out areas, a playground, a tai chi court, a community farm, a multi-purpose room, chess tables and table-tennis tables. The estate also provides a car park, an eatery, a clinic and shops to cater for the daily needs of residents.
 
     Completed in 2016, Long Ching Estate provides a total of 438 PRH units. It was awarded the BEAM Plus Final Platinum rating in 2017 because of its various green initiatives.

     A video on Long Ching Estate can be viewed at the following link: d1b4exdg080h6k.cloudfront.net/news/LCE_20131106.mp4.

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     A 26-year-old man was convicted of entering the Mai Po Marshes and Inner Deep Bay Restricted Area (the Restricted Area) without a permit at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today (August 25) for violating Section 13 of the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap 170) (the Ordinance).

     A spokesperson for Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that officers from AFCD and Lok Ma Chau Division and Marine West Division of Police mounted a joint operation at the Restricted Area yesterday (August 24) morning to combat illegal activities there. A 26-year-old Mainland man, holding an Exit-entry permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao, was arrested at the shallow waters and found entering the Restricted Area without a permit.

     Following investigations by AFCD, the man was charged for entering a Restricted Area without a permit. He was convicted and sentenced to a fine of $1,000 today. 

     The Restricted Area, comprising a total area of about 800 hectares, includes the Mai Po Marshes, all the mangrove swamps adjoining the marshes, and the intertidal mudflats and shallow waters of Inner Deep Bay. The Ordinance stipulates that any person who enters into or be within the Restricted Area without a permit issued by the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 on conviction. 

     The spokesperson stressed that illegal entry into the Restricted Area may affect both the habitats and the wild animals, especially water birds of the area. AFCD conducts patrols at the Restricted Area, and mounts joint enforcement operation with the Police from time to time with a view to controlling illegal activities there. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating today (August 25) two additional local cases of dengue fever (DF) and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     The cases are detailed below:
 

Sex	Female	Male
Age	39	40
Any underlying illness	Yes	Nil
Onset date	August 17	August 19
Symptoms	Fever, headache, myalgia, arthralgia and rash	Fever, headache, myalgia and arthralgia
Residence	Sai Wan Road, Cheung Chau	Charming Garden, Mong Kok
Local movement during incubation period	Cheung Chau	Cheung Chau
Recollection of mosquito bite history	Yes	Yes
Travel history during incubation period	Nil	Shenzhen, Guangdong
Medical attendance	Sought medical attention at St John Hospital on August 21 and 24; admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital	Sought medical attention at Queen Mary Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department on August 24
Condition	Stable	Stable
Condition of home contact(s)	Son had fever and cough (recovered); others asymptomatic	Not applicable
Dengue virus laboratory result	Positive	Positive

 
     “We are working closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to assess and prevent possible spread of infection. The FEHD’s vector investigations, surveillance and control are ongoing. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “The CHP has provided information and locations of the residences and local movements of the local DF cases on the CHP’s designated webpage for DF to facilitate handy access to information for the public,” the spokesman said.

     The CHP appeals to members of the public not to visit Lion Rock Park during the closure period in order to prevent contracting DF. Scientific studies have shown that infected persons can transmit the virus to mosquitoes through mosquito bites even if they remain asymptomatic or before their onset of symptoms, leading to further spread of the disease. Hence, people who have visited Lion Rock Park are advised to apply insect repellent for 14 days after their last visit, and those with DF symptoms should seek medical advice as early as possible.

     Persons who have been to the vicinity of Wong Tai Sin (particularly Lion Rock Park), Kwai Shing West Estate, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Cheung Chau (Hillside Road, Tsan Tuen Road, Fa Peng Road, San Hing Street, Cheung Chau Sai Tai Road, Lung Tsai Tsuen, Xavier House and Sai Wan Road), Highland Park, Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground, Wing Yiu Street, Tak Long Estate, Portland Street, Shanghai Street, Greenfield Garden, Jade Villa, Le Point, Ki Lun Tsuen and Charming Garden with DF symptoms should call the CHP’s hotline (2125 1122) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. The hotline operates from 9am to 5.45pm daily.

      “We have informed the Guangdong and Macao health authorities to alert them to the latest situation,” the spokesman added.

     These are the 25th and 26th local cases recorded this year. Excluding the local cases, as of yesterday (August 24), 61 imported cases had been recorded in 2018. The cases were mainly imported from Thailand (26), the Philippines (12) and Cambodia (seven).
 
      In the rainy season, the public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

 
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika Virus Infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.
 
      The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the DF pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the FEHD’s Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information. read more

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (August 25) presented certificates of completion of service to 10 delegates of Phase VIII of the Service Corps programme to recognise and commend their outstanding performance in voluntary work in Shaoguan and Meizhou in Guangdong Province.

     At the certificate presentation ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, also praised the delegates for their enthusiasm in serving people. He said he had been pleased to see that the delegates had the courage to embrace challenges and devoted themselves to voluntary teaching duties with a positive attitude, which deserves commendation and appreciation.
 
     Mr Lau said, “At first, these young delegates were a bit nervous to start voluntary teaching in remote areas on the Mainland. It was not easy for them to adapt to the rural life and stay there for half a year to a year for voluntary teaching. Without passion and a caring heart, it would have been impossible for them to accomplish the mission.”
 
     He said he hoped that the programme, which provides an opportunity for Hong Kong youths to train and challenge themselves and allows them to learn more about the motherland and the needs of people there, would continue. He also expressed the hope that the delegates would continue to serve individuals, the community and the country, and share their experiences on the Mainland with peers to encourage more young people to provide voluntary services on the Mainland.
 
     Mr Lau thanked the Guangdong Youth Federation, the Municipal People’s Governments of Meizhou and Shaoguan and committee members of the Communist Youth Leagues in the two cities for their full support, and expressed appreciation for the care given to the delegates by the principals and teachers of the participating schools.
      
     The Home Affairs Bureau launched the Service Corps programme in 2011 to provide financial support for youths aged between 18 and 29 to serve in remote areas on the Mainland for one semester or for the whole school year. Aiming to develop young people’s tenacity and potential, the volunteer programme encourages Hong Kong young people to serve others and contribute to their country with a view to enhancing their understanding of the motherland and promoting the spirit of volunteerism. About 140 Hong Kong youths have participated in Phases I to VIII of the programme.

     The delegates of the Service Corps programme (Phase VIII) went to various primary and secondary schools in Shaoguan and Meizhou, namely Huaping Experimental School, Zhenjiang Secondary School, Xiyang Town Centre Primary School and Bingcun Town Centre Primary School, to provide teaching assistance to primary and junior secondary students in various subjects and help organise extracurricular activities from September 2017 to July 2018.

     Young people who are interested in joining the programme can visit the Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/servicecorpshk) or the webpage of the Service Corps (www.ydc.gov.hk/servicecorps/en) for more details or call 3509 7104 for enquiries.

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     The Home Affairs Department will open 18 temporary night heat shelters tonight (August 25) for people in need of the service.
      
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.

     For further information, please call the department’s enquiries hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.

     The 18 night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern/Wan Chai –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
Waiting Lobby, 3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
Multi-purpose Room, 1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
Hall, G/F, 45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai read more