The Heritage Fiesta 2018 will be held from June 1 to July 31, under which 16 historic buildings that are related to serving the community will be open to the public during specific opening hours.

     "The event is a great opportunity for the public to appreciate these well-preserved historic buildings that have played a role to serve the community in Hong Kong, and allow the public to understand their histories and architectural styles," a spokesman for the Commissioner for Heritage's Office of the Development Bureau said today (May 18).

     Free guided tours will be offered at participating historic buildings during the event period on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors can also collect special stamps at the participating historic buildings during their journeys of heritage exploration, during specific opening hours.  

     A pamphlet on the Heritage Fiesta 2018 will be available at the featured historic buildings during the event period. It can also be obtained from the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin, the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum in Mid-Levels, the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware in Central, the Museum of Coastal Defence in Shau Kei Wan, temples under the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, visitor centres of the Hong Kong Tourism Board in Tsim Sha Tsui and at the Peak, as well as at the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok.

     For further information about the Heritage Fiesta 2018, please visit the heritage conservation website (www.heritage.gov.hk/en/whatsnew/events.htm) or call 2848 6230.

     The Government published in the Gazette today (May 18) the Land Survey (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 2018 to revise fees for services provided under the Land Survey Ordinance (Cap. 473).

The fee items to be revised include:
(a) inspection of land boundary records;
(b) supply of copies of plans;
(c) deposit of land boundary plans and corresponding survey record plans with the Land Survey Authority;
(d) registration as an authorised land surveyor; and
(e) renewal of registration as an authorised land surveyor.

     "In line with the 'user pays' principle, it is the Government's policy that fees charged by the Government should in general be set at levels adequate to recover the full costs of providing the services. The Government has taken into consideration relevant matters in addition to full-cost recovery, such as the amount of additional revenue that could be generated after the fee revision and the manpower resources required for implementing the fee revision," a spokesman for the Development Bureau said.

     "Taking into account the relatively modest magnitude of the increases, and that some of the fees are payable by authorised land surveyors only, it is estimated that the fee revision would have little impact on the daily life of the general public or the general running of business activity." The fees payable under the Land Survey (Fees) Regulation (Cap. 473A) were last revised in 2016.

     The Amendment Regulation will be tabled at the Legislative Council on May 23. Subject to approval by negative vetting, the revised fees will come into effect on July 31.

     The Government proposes to amend the regulations under the Merchant Shipping (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Ordinance to incorporate the latest requirements of Annex II to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in relation to ships carrying noxious liquid substances (NLS) in bulk into local legislation.

​     Amendments will be made to the Merchant Shipping (Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk) Regulations, the Merchant Shipping (BCH Code) Regulations and the Merchant Shipping (IBC Code) Regulations.

​     A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said today (May 18), "Taking into account the latest knowledge about the impact of NLS chemicals on the marine environment, the IMO has updated MARPOL Annex II to give clearer guidelines and procedures on the transport of NLS in bulk.

​     "Major amendments include revising the categorisation of NLS, tightening the maximum residual quantity of NLS allowed on ships, putting in place discharge restrictions and mandating the carriage of an approved stability instrument on ships carrying NLS in bulk."

​     The Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development and the relevant consultative committee of the Marine Department have been consulted. Members supported the legislative proposal.
 
​     The proposed legislative amendments were gazetted today and will be tabled at the Legislative Council on May 23 for negative vetting.

     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.

     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.