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Author Archives: hksar gov

Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2018 gazetted

     The Government published the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2018 in the Gazette today (May 18).  The bill seeks to provide a tax deduction under salaries tax and personal assessment to people who purchase eligible health insurance products for themselves or their specified relatives under the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS).
      
     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said, “The VHIS tax deduction scheme is flexible and user-friendly.  A taxpayer can claim deductions for VHIS premiums paid up to $8,000 per insured person for insurance policies procured for the benefit of the taxpayer and all specified relatives (irrespective of number).
      
     “If a taxpayer has procured more than one VHIS policy, the taxpayer may still claim deduction for the various premia paid, subject only to the $8,000 cap for each insured person.
      
     “There is also no cap on the number of taxpayers who can make a claim for tax deduction for the same insured person.”
      
     Specified relatives cover the taxpayer’s spouse and children, and the taxpayer’s or his/her spouse’s grandparents, parents and siblings.
      
     To ensure that the tax incentive is provided for people who have a nexus to Hong Kong, an insured person or the parent of an insured person who is under 11 years old and does not hold a Hong Kong Identity Card should be a Hong Kong Identity Card holder.
      
     The bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for scrutiny on May 23. read more

East Asia

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 (May 18) 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