The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (June 26) that the following leisure and sports facilities will be temporarily closed:

(a) The turf pitch of Yuen Long Stadium in Yuen Long District will be temporarily closed from July 1 to August 25 for turf maintenance works, while the running track will remain open. During the closure period, the public may use similar facilities at Tin Shui Wai Sports Ground or Tin Yip Road Park in the same district.

(b) The turf pitch of Tai Po Sports Ground in Tai Po District will be temporarily closed from July 3 to August 27 for turf maintenance works, while the running track will remain open. During the closure period, the public may use the artificial turf pitches at Kwong Fuk Park Football Pitch or Kwong Fuk Football Ground in the same district.

(c) Kwu Tung Grass Soccer Pitch in North District will be temporarily closed from July 11 to August 21 for turf maintenance works. During the closure period, the public may use similar facilities at Fanling Recreation Ground in the same district.

(d) The turf pitch of Shing Mun Valley Sports Ground in Tsuen Wan District will be temporarily closed from July 15 to August 21 for turf maintenance works. During the closure period, the public may use similar facilities at Tsuen Wan Riviera Park in the same district.

     In addition, the completion date of turf maintenance works for the turf pitch at Tsuen Wan Riviera Park in Tsuen Wan District will be postponed to July 14. During the closure period, the public may use similar facilities at Shing Mun Valley Sports Ground in the same district.

     For the most up-to-date closure schedules of the above leisure and sports facilities, the public may refer to the notices at the venues or contact venue staff directly.

The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
 
     Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Members) today (June 26) visited Tai Kwun to learn about the revitalisation of the Central Police Station (CPS) Compound and the arrangements of its opening to the public.
 
     Accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the ExCo Members first visited the exhibition "100 Faces of Tai Kwun" at the Duplex Studio of Block 01. The exhibition immerses visitors in 100 stories, collected from 100 neighbours and friends in the past two years, detailing the relationship between Tai Kwun and local livelihoods from various perspectives.
 
     After going to the visitor centre at Block 03, formerly the Barrack Block, the ExCo Members proceeded to the exhibition "Life in Victoria Prison" at a heritage storytelling space at Block 12 to understand prison life in the past. There are eight designated heritage storytelling spaces inside Tai Kwun, and they feature the history, stories and lives of people in different ways.  
 
     The CPS Compound Revitalisation Project was carried out in partnership between the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and is Hong Kong's largest heritage conservation and revitalisation project. It comprises three declared monuments – the former CPS, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison – and a newly built art gallery and auditorium. It aims to enhance Hong Kong's status as a culturally vibrant city through transforming the historic site into a leading culture and leisure destination, where heritage, contemporary art and leisure elements are creatively integrated for all to enjoy.
 
     The ExCo Members were later briefed on two contemporary art exhibitions associated with Tai Kwun, and subsequently visited a library housing books on Asian artists that is accessible to the public free of charge.
 
     Appreciating the outstanding preservation and revitalisation of the CPS Compound as the new landmark of Hong Kong, the ExCo Members said the project has opened a new chapter in Central's history and injects new energy into the central business district of Hong Kong. They thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its dedicated effort and hefty investment to restore the CPS Compound, leaving an important cultural legacy that can make Hong Kong proud for many years to come.
 
     Non-official Members joining the visit today were Convenor Mr Bernard Chan, Professor Arthur Li, Mr Chow Chung-kong, Mrs Fanny Law, Mr Ip Kwok-him, Mr Martin Liao, Mr Joseph Yam and Dr Lam Ching-choi.
 

            

The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
 
     The Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) announced today (June 26) that a Legislative Council by-election for the Kowloon West geographical constituency is planned to be held on November 25 (Sunday).
 
     "This by-election will be held to fill the vacant seat of the Legislative Council Kowloon West geographical constituency," a Commission spokesman said.
 
     "When deciding the polling date of the Legislative Council by-election, all objective factors have to be considered including the time required to recruit and train additional electoral staff, procurement of venues for use as polling and counting stations, procurement and logistics for electoral materials and the principle of proper use of public funds. In the light of various underlying practical considerations, preparation for holding the Legislative Council by-election will take about six months."
 
     The spokesman added, "In accordance with the electoral laws, the nomination period of the Legislative Council by-election must not be less than 14 days or more than 21 days. It must end not less than 28 days and not more than 42 days before the polling day. Upon completion of the necessary arrangements for the nomination procedure, the notice of the by-election and the nomination period will be published in the Government Gazette as soon as possible."
 
     The EAC shall take the appropriate steps and make reasonable arrangements in order to ensure that the by-election will be conducted in an open, fair and honest manner.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 26) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable, and start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index remains high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear loose long-sleeved clothing made of close-woven fabrics;
• Wear a wide brim hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming or sweating; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may get more information from the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.