The Transport Department (TD) today (November 4) said that since the implementation of new measures at Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge this weekend, the cross boundary transport services have … read more
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, at a media session after attending a public event today (November 4):
Reporter: When will the high risk pool be setting up? Even that it can’t be implemented in a few years, how do the Government ensure that the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) is attractive enough?
Secretary for Food and Health: The Government has just passed the law to (allow) reduction in tax (in connection with the premiums paid) for VHIS, so it will be launched on April 1, 2019. As far as the basic requirement is concerned, we have already achieved 10 basic requirements. For the high risk pool, we will continue to look into it because we were not able to reach a consensus at the time when we did the consultation. Therefore, we may take a few years, to first launch the VHIS and gain some experience in this insurance scheme. There are lots of work that our VHIS office would have to do in the coming few years. So building on the experience, we will see how best to move forward including looking into the possibility to create a high risk pool.
Reporter: With respect to the Japanese research, would the Government have any respective measures to prevent the outbreak of the virus?
Secretary for Food and Health: As far as the avian flu risk is concerned, the Government has been doing a lot, both in the local farms as well as in the markets selling live poultry. A lot of bio-security measures and surveillance are already on-going. We will continue to communicate with the international organisations and health organisations to understand more about avian flu and the risk. We will continue to do our surveillance, our work and bio-security measures in terms of live poultry.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The Hospital Authority (HA) today (November 4) announced the launching of Locum Recruitment Website tomorrow (November 5) to enhance the flexibility and efficiency… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:
The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (November 6) to consider six applications for renewal, transfer or amendment of liquor licences.
The applications are (not in order of discussion):
Hong Kong:
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Missy Ho’s and 11 Westside in Kennedy Town
Cassio in Central
DJIBOUTII in Wan Chai
Kowloon:
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WIFI CLUB in Tsim Sha Tsui
Cali-Mex in Tai Kok Tsui
The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend, except during the private session on confidential items.
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Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting today (November 4). The arrangements will come into effect two hours … read more