Hong Kong Customs today (June 19) arrested a male renovation consultant suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices involving misleading omission in the sale of home renovation service, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a renovation consultant misled and lured a customer to believe that the home renovation service which he procured was provided by a designated renovation company, causing the customer to make a transactional decision to procure the service.
 
     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 33-year-old man.
 
     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
 
     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops.
 
     Under the TDO, any trader who engages in a commercial practice that omits or hides material information and as a result causes, or is likely to cause, an average consumer to make a transactional decision commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
 
     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

     Hongkong Post announced today (June 19) that, as advised by the postal administration of Sri Lanka, mail operations in Sri Lanka have been affected by trade union action of the postal workers. Mail acceptance is ceased. Hongkong Post has suspended postal services (including Speedpost, parcels and letter post items) to Sri Lanka with immediate effect until further notice.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 19) investigating an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in a primary school in Southern District, and again urged the public, schools and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     The outbreak affected 21 students, 15 boys and six girls aged 7 to 10, who have developed fever, oral ulcers, rash and vesicles over hands or feet since May 22. Among them, 20 sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All of them are in stable condition.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit to the school and advised the management on necessary infection control and preventive measures. The school has been put under medical surveillance. Investigations are ongoing.

     "HFMD is common in children while adult cases may also appear. It is usually caused by enteroviruses (EVs) such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. It is clinically characterised by maculopapular rashes or vesicular lesions occurring on the palms, soles and other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Vesicular lesions and ulcers may also be found in the oral cavity. Sometimes patients present mainly with painful ulcers at the back of the mouth, namely herpangina, without rash on the hands or feet," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     "HFMD occurs throughout the year. A summer peak usually occurs in May to July. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact," the spokesman added.

     To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:
 

• Maintain good air circulation;
• Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted;
• Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
• Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.

     The public may visit the CHP's page on HFMD and EV71 infection and Public Health Advice for Play Facilities for more information.

     The Department of Health (DH) today (June 19) appealed to the public not to buy or consume a slimming product named SPARKLE TWINS as it was found to contain an undeclared and banned drug ingredient that might be dangerous to health.
 
     The DH commenced investigation upon receipt of a notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) regarding a 29-year-old female patient admitted to hospital for emotional disturbance with a history of consuming the above slimming product.
 
     According to testing results by the HA, which were later confirmed by the Government Laboratory, the sample of the product provided by the patient was found to contain the banned substance sibutramine.
 
     Preliminary investigation revealed that the patient purchased the product through a social media network platform. The DH's investigation is continuing.
 
     Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of increased cardiovascular risk.
 
     The DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from unknown sources. Members of the public who have purchased the above product should stop consuming it immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption.
 
     Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control.
 
     The public may visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for health messages on overweight problem and slimming products and information on slimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients.
 
     People who have purchased the product may submit it to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.

  

     Representatives of the Film Services Office of Create Hong Kong (FSO) under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Police today (June 19) met with representatives of the film and television sectors to explain the application procedures and requirements for using props currency notes for filming purposes and to discuss the way forward to enhance the trade's understanding of the relevant guidelines.

     Attending the meeting were representatives of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, the Hong Kong Televisions Association, the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild, the Hong Kong Film Assistant Directors' Association, the Hong Kong Film Arts Association and the Hong Kong Movie Production Executives Association.

     The HKMA said at the meeting that henceforth a set of samples will be attached to the existing guidelines to demonstrate the required size of the props currency notes and the distinguishing designs and features required to set them apart from genuine banknotes. An application form will also be attached to the guidelines to assist applicants in providing the required information. Where an application does not fulfill all the requirements, the applicant may make amendments and updates to the application. Where an application is approved, the HKMA will provide the applicant with the contact information of the three note-issuing banks, the Information Services Department and the Police to facilitate the necessary follow-ups.

     At the meeting, to ease the concerns of the trade, the Police elaborated on their established follow-up arrangements, including the controls and requirements for storage and destruction of prop notes. The FSO also undertook to continue to maintain close contact with the industry to help resolve any filming issues, and will update the "Guide to Filming in Hong Kong" published by Create Hong Kong for the trade's reference.

     In addition, HKMA has already uploaded the application guidelines to its website (www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng/doc/key-functions/monetary-stability/notes-and-coins/Stage_money_Guidelines_and_general_conditions_eng.pdf). A link to the guidelines has also been provided in FSO's website (www.fso-createhk.gov.hk/en/links).

     Should the trade have any enquiries about using props money for filming purposes, they are welcome to contact the FSO (email: fso@createhk.gov.hkï¼›tel.: 2594 5745ï¼›fax.: 2824 0595). The FSO also stands ready to provide to the trade with contacts in the HKMA and the Police to assist the trade if there are queries in relation to application procedures and follow-ups.