Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, on residential care home for the elderly and day care centre for the elderly to be constructed by the purchaser in a tender awarded for a site in Kai Tak after attending a radio programme this morning (May 19):

Reporter: … why developing elderly homes in private developer projects is an easier option than setting up in subsidised housing projects? What's the scale you are talking about?

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Recently, there was a Land Sale Programme tender. In the site, two elderly projects (a residential care home for the elderly and a day care centre for the elderly) are included. I expect the whole process can be completed in a relatively shorter period of time. 

     When we talk about project that is housed in public sites, let's say public projects like public housing or other public development, it would take around eight years or even longer. But if we put it under a private development, normally it would take something like five years or at most seven to eight years. So, it definitely reduces the time needed for the development of residential homes for the elderly. So, we will seriously consider in the future, the future Land Sale Programme, when as appropriate we would be able to include elderly residential homes in those development.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Rhinovirus in a female adult psychiatric ward, the spokesperson for Castle Peak Hospital made the following update today (May 19):

     One more 59-year-old patient in the ward had presented with respiratory symptom. Appropriate viral test had been arranged for the patient and the test result was positive to Rhinovirus. The concerned patient is being treated under isolation with stable condition.

     Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.

     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     Thirty-seven schools were commended today (May 19) at the prize presentation ceremony of the Greening School Project Award organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in recognition of their meritorious green school projects and contributions to environmental greening.

     To enhance students' interest in and knowledge of greening, the LCSD's Greening School Subsidy Scheme provides subsidies to schools to organise more greening activities and encourage students to plant more trees and shrubs on campuses.

     Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony, the Chief Leisure Manager (Green Campaign) of the LCSD, Ms Wendy Or, said the Greening School Subsidy Scheme has been well received by teachers and students since its launch in 2000, with the number of participating schools increasing from around 300 in the first year to more than 880 this year.

     Ms Or added that the standard of green projects has been rising. Both teachers and students have worked very hard to make their schools' environments greener and more beautiful.

     The Greening School Project Award is presented in seven categories. The champions are as follows:

1) Large Garden Plot Project (Secondary School Section):
SAHK Ko Fook Iu Memorial School

2) Large Garden Plot Project (Primary School Section):
Ta Ku Ling Ling Ying Public School

3) Small Garden Plot Project (Secondary School Section):
New Asia Middle School

4) Small Garden Plot Project (Primary School Section):
Bonham Road Government Primary School

5) Garden Plot Project (Kindergarten Section):
SKH St Joseph's Church Kindergarten

6) Tree Planting Project:
CCC Kei Faat Primary School (Yau Tong)

7) Horticultural Maintenance:
Anchors International Nursery (Constellation Cove)

     The list of other winners of the Greening School Project Award is available at the LCSD webpage
www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/green/education/greeningschool/2017schoolawardlist.html.

     Other guests attending the ceremony were the Chairman of the Tuen Mun District Council, Mr Leung Kin-man; the Chairman of the Culture, Recreation and Sports Committee of the Kwun Tong District Council, Mr Kan Ming-tung; the Vice-President of the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects, Ms Ng Tze-kwun; non-official member of the Community Involvement Committee on Greening of the Development Bureau Ms Wong Kit-lin; and the Chief School Development Officer (Kowloon City) of the Education Bureau, Mr Ching Yiu-yuen.

              

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (May 20).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.
     
 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 19) 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.