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CHP reminds public on precautions against heat stroke during very hot weather

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 21) 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. read more

East Asia

CE promotes in France opportunities to be brought by Belt and Road Initiative and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area development (with photos/videos)

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, yesterday (June 20, Paris time) spoke at seminars on the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area development to promote the opportunities brought by and the role of Hong Kong in these two major national strategies to different sectors in France. She also met with members of the French National Assembly, and visited a famous university.
      
     In the morning, accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, and the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, Mrs Lam toured Rodin Museum which, opened in 1919, is dedicated to the works of French sculptor Auguste Rodin and receives about 700 000 visitors annually. Mrs Lam said that with the completion of facilities such as those in the West Kowloon Cultural District, there will be more art exhibition space in Hong Kong in the future.  She looked forward to collaborating with Rodin Museum so that members of the public will have the chance to see the collection of the Museum in Hong Kong.
      
     Afterwards, Mrs Lam attended the joint promotion seminar on Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area and delivered a keynote speech. The seminar, attended by hundreds of representatives from the French business sector, is co-organised by the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, aiming to highlight the vast opportunities to be brought by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area.  Mrs Lam briefed the participants on the background of the Bay Area and the favourable conditions for its development.  The Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Ouyang Weimin and the President of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Mr Jackson Chang, also delivered speeches at the seminar.
      
     At noon, accompanied by the President of the France-China Friendship Group of the National Assembly, Mr Buon Huong Tan, Mrs Lam and the other officials visited the National Assembly.  They attended a lunch hosted by Mr Tan, and the Vice President of the National Assembly, Ms Carole Bureau-Bonnard, also attended.   Mrs Lam was very impressed by the architectural features and historic decorations of the building which has been housing the National Assembly since the late 18th century. She said she is pleased to know that the Group has a close and good relation with the legislature in Mainland China and has frequent visits to China in recent years. She invited the Group to visit Hong Kong in the near future to learn about the city’s development.
      
     After the lunch, Mrs Lam attended the “France-Hong Kong & Mainland China Economic Forum” co-organised by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, Business France and the China Federation of Industrial Economics, with the Belt and Road Initiative being the theme.  She noted in her speech that the Belt and Road Initiative will bring a range of opportunities to Hong Kong and Hong Kong will play an important role in it.  She looked forward to co-operating with French enterprises to explore the business opportunities in Belt and Road projects.
      
     After the forum, Mrs Lam and the other officials visited the Sorbonne University which was formed by merging the University Pierre and Marie Curie,  also known as Paris VI, and Paris-Sorbonne University on January 1 this year.  The University is widely regarded as one of the top universities in France and in the world. During the visit, Mrs Lam met with the President of Sorbonne University, Professor Jean Chambaz, to learn about the university’s latest development. She said that she would like to promote the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong through the collaboration of the Government, universities, including renowned academic institutions and research organisations overseas, and enterprises.  With the Government rolling out measures to attract overseas institutions to come to Hong Kong, she looked forward to having Professor Jean Chambaz in Hong Kong to explore collaboration with the Government and universities in Hong Kong.
         
     In the evening, Mrs Lam and the other officials met with members of the Hong Kong community in France to learn about their lives.  She expressed the hope that the Hong Kong community would continue to play an important role in France and offer better support to Hong Kong’s development.
      
     Mrs Lam will continue her visit to Paris today (June 21, Paris time).
  

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East Asia