A renovation works company and a driver illegally disposed of renovation waste, with a total volume of about 3.5 cubic metres, at the roadside of Bedford Road in Tai Kok Tsui and Tai Yip Street in Kowloon Bay this April and May respectively. They were fined a total of $6,000 by Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (October 4) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).

     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that Tai Kok Tsui and Kowloon Bay are densely populated commercial and industrial areas, and some members of the logistics industry illegally disposed of waste during night-time when traffic and pedestrian flows were low. To step up efforts to combat illegal waste disposal, round-the-clock video surveillance cameras were installed at two fly-tipping black spots at Tai Yip Street and Bedford Road to enhance the monitoring and deterrence effect on illegal waste disposal, and to facilitate evidence collection and prosecution. In addition, banners are being displayed at these black spots to remind members of the public that fly-tipping is an offence and offenders will be prosecuted.

     The spokesman called on the commercial and industrial sector as well as the transportation sector, especially members from the logistics and construction industries, to dispose of waste in accordance with relevant laws. The logistics, commercial and industrial sectors may contact recyclers to arrange collection for those recyclable commercial and industrial waste, while non-recyclable waste should be disposed of at refuse transfer stations or landfills for proper treatment.
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     Under the WDO, it is an offence for anyone to dispose of waste in public places, on government land or without the permission of land owners. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment. A maximum fine of $500,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.

     â€‹IBI Limited, the works contractor of Eaton Hotel Hong Kong at Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, and its sub-contractor illegally installed a signboard for the hotel using powered mechanical equipment during night-time, which caused noise nuisance. They were convicted and fined a total of $35,000 at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (October 4) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).
      
     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a complaint from a nearby resident in March about the noise nuisance caused by the hotel's renovation work. After investigation, it was confirmed that the works contractor installed a signboard using an electric drill after 7pm and caused noise nuisance to nearby residents. The contractors concerned did not apply for the relevant construction noise permit (CNP) before the commencement of the works. After investigation and evidence collection, the EPD initiated prosecutions against the main contractor and its sub-contractor in accordance with the NCO.
      
     The NCO aims to protect the public from disturbance of rest. The EPD spokesman stressed that members of the construction industry should carry out works during daytime and non-general holidays as far as possible to minimise disturbance to the public nearby. If the works have to be conducted during the restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am on the following day, or at any time on a general holiday), a permit must be obtained from the EPD. The construction works shall commence only when the CNP has been granted upon completion of assessment to support its compliance with regulatory requirements. Only specified powered mechanical equipment can be used for the construction works and contractors must also implement noise mitigation measures to minimise noise nuisance as stipulated by the CNP, including the erection of fences and noise barriers at the sites, to reduce the impact of noise to nearby residents as far as possible. Otherwise, it constitutes an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by CTBC Bank Co., Ltd. on fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA.  Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 4) closely monitoring 32 additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), including 10 deaths, reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) between June 1 and September 16, 2018, and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit.
 
     According to the WHO, among the 28 male and four female patients aged 29 to 84, 23 of them had underlying illnesses, 12 had exposure to camels, and one was health care worker. Among these 32 cases, 12 cases involved in one hospital cluster and four household clusters.

     According to the latest information, 2 254 cases have been reported to the WHO (with 800 deaths), including 2 035 in 10 Middle East countries comprising 1 876 in the KSA, 87 in the United Arab Emirates, 28 in Jordan, 19 in Qatar, 11 in Oman, six in Iran, four in Kuwait, two in Lebanon, and one each in Yemen and Bahrain.

     "We will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus," the spokesman said.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS page of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the WHO's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.

     The Home Affairs Department appeals to registered electors of the Wong Ka Wai and Lung Tseng Tau Indigenous Inhabitant Representative Election to exercise their right to vote in the Rural By-election to be held this Sunday (October 7).

     Seven Rural Representative vacancies are open in the by-election and seven valid nominations were received during the nomination period. There are two candidates running for an Indigenous Inhabitant Representative post of Wong Ka Wai and Lung Tseng Tau of the Tung Chung Rural Committee. Polling will be held for the village.

     Five candidates were returned uncontested to be the Indigenous Inhabitant Representatives of Tam Shui Hang, Ho Chung, Fan Tin San Yi Cho and Tai Wai and the Resident Representative of Kwun Yam Shan and Kong Pui.
      
     No valid nomination was received for the Resident Representative vacancy of Mok Ka.

     The list of valid nominations is as follows:
 

 
     Polling will be held from noon to 7pm on October 7. Electors are required to bring the original of their identity documents to the designated polling station as specified in the polling notice. 

     There will be arrangements to enable remanded persons and detainees who are registered electors of the village to cast their votes in the by-election. 

     Arrangements will be made for electors who are remanded or detained by law enforcement agencies (other than the Correctional Services Department) to cast their votes at the dedicated polling station located on G/F, Mei Tin Community Hall, 9 Mei Mun Lane, Tai Wai, Sha Tin, New Territories. The polling hours are from noon to 7pm.

     If necessary, reserved dedicated polling stations will also be set up in the 21 penal institutions for electors under the custody of the Correctional Services Department to cast their votes from 1pm to 4pm. 

     For further information, please visit the Rural Representative Election website, www.had.gov.hk/rre, or call 2152 1521.