The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, visited Yau Tsim Mong District this afternoon (September 28).

     Mr Lau first visited the head office of the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) to learn about its work on heritage preservation. The AMO head office is located at the former Kowloon British School. Built in 1902 and being the oldest surviving school building constructed for the children of foreign residents in Hong Kong, the building was declared a monument in July 1991.

     Mr Lau then proceeded to the worksite of the West Kowloon Government Offices at Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, and was briefed on its construction progress by representatives of the Architectural Services Department and the Government Property Agency. Comprising a North Block and a South Block, the West Kowloon Government Offices are expected to be completed by early next year and will be used for reprovisioning some government offices in the Wan Chai Government Offices Complex and some leased premises in other districts. Adopting a green design, the building has various energy-saving and renewable energy facilities. There will also be greening on the rooftop and external walls.

     After that, Mr Lau went to the Hong Kong Playground Association's Mongkok Integrated Service Centre for Children & Youth to see for himself the services and facilities provided there. He also chatted with youths to learn about their studies, the jobs they are doing and their experiences in starting up businesses. He was glad to see that young entrepreneurs were aspiring to start their own businesses, and appreciated their enthusiasm for life.

     Before concluding the visit, Mr Lau met with members of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council to exchange views on various issues including opening of bank accounts.

        

     The Transport Department (TD) today (September 28) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in phases on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon to facilitate the holding of the flag raising ceremony, a public procession and the fireworks display next Monday (October 1).
      
     The special traffic and transport arrangements will mainly include:

(I) Flag raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai
 
Road closures
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     The following roads will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic (except authorised vehicles) at the time specified below:
 
1. From about midnight to 11am
 
* Expo Drive;
* Expo Drive Central;
* The section of Expo Drive East south of Expo Drive;
* Road A5; and
* Road A2.
 
2. From about midnight to noon
 
* The section of Expo Drive East north of Expo Drive.
 
3. From about 5.30am to 11am:
 
* The section of Road P2 between Lung Wo Road and Expo Drive East.
 
Public transport services
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     The bus terminus, coach parking spaces and pick-up/drop-off area at Expo Drive East will be suspended in phases from about 10pm on September 30. The taxi stand at Expo Drive and part of the taxi stand at Harbour Road westbound opposite to Harbour Centre will also be suspended from about midnight and 7.30am respectively on October 1.
 
(II) Public Procession from East Point Road and Lockhart Road Pedestrian Precinct to Central Government Offices
 
Road closures
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     At around 3pm, a public procession will depart from East Point Road and Lockhart Road Pedestrian Precinct via Yee Wo Street westbound, Hennessy Road westbound, Queensway westbound, across Queensway, Rodney Street, Harcourt Road westbound, Harcourt Road eastbound and Tim Mei Avenue northbound, and will terminate at the Central Government Offices.
 
     To facilitate the holding of the public procession, the following road closure arrangements will be implemented on Hong Kong Island:
 
1. From about 2pm, the slow lane of Yee Wo Street westbound and Hennessy Road westbound, and the Causeway Bay shopping area (such as Jardine's Bazaar) will be closed in phases; and
 
2. From about 2.30pm, Hennessy Road westbound, Queensway westbound, Harcourt Road, Rodney Street, Drake Street, Tamar Street and the roads in the vicinity of the Central Government Offices will be closed.
 
Public transport services
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     A total of 59 bus routes and five green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted. One GMB route will be temporarily suspended. 
 
(III) Fireworks display at Victoria Harbour
 
Road closures
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     To facilitate the holding of the fireworks display at Victoria Harbour at 9pm, road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases on Hong Kong Island from about 7.30pm in Wan Chai District, Central District, the Peak and the section of Island Eastern Corridor westbound between Victoria Park Road and Man Hong Street. Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases in the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and Jordan in Kowloon from about 7pm until the crowd has dispersed and the road closure lifted.
 
Public transport services
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1. For bus and GMB services, owing to the road closure, some bus and GMB stops will be suspended or relocated. The bus and GMB routes operating in the affected areas will also be temporarily diverted;
 
2. For MTR services, the services of Island Line, the Tsuen Wan Line, the Kwun Tong Line and the West Rail Line will be strengthened;
 
3. For tramway service, normal holiday service will be operated and the frequency of the tram service will be strengthened to meet passenger demand if necessary;
 
4. For ferry services, ferry companies will temporarily adjust the services to facilitate the holding of the fireworks display;
 
5. For cross-boundary coach services, the terminus at the Wan Chai North Temporary Public Transport Interchange and the stop on Harbour Road outside Harbour Centre for the cross-boundary coach service plying between Wan Chai and Huanggang Control Point will be suspended. A temporary pick-up point will be provided at Hennessy Road eastbound underneath O'Brien Road footbridge; and
 
6. The service of the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System will be extended to 2am on October 2.
 
     Due to extensive road closures in the affected areas, the TD anticipates that the traffic along Hong Kong Island North (including Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central and the vicinity of the Island Eastern Corridor), the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and Jordan in Kowloon, and the Cross Harbour Tunnel as well as the Aberdeen Tunnel will become significantly congested. Motorists are advised to be patient in case of traffic congestion when driving at the vicinity and follow the Police's instruction, and be alert to the latest traffic news through the media.
      
     Members of the public are advised to use public transport services, in particular railway services, and avoid driving to the affected or congested areas, especially in the vicinity of Tin Hau, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central, Tsim Sha Tsui and Jordan, unless necessary. Early planning of journeys and use of alternative travelling routes are advised to avoid unexpected delay. The public transport operators will display notices to inform passengers of the temporary arrangements. Public transport commuters are advised to pay attention to the arrangements of route diversions, suspension and relocation of stops. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. 
      
     For enquiries on special traffic and transport arrangements, members of the public can call 1823 or browse the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) for more details.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 28) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting eight persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

     The first cluster involved one man and two women, aged 29 to 32, who developed fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting about 12 to 35 hours after having dinner at a food premises in Tsim Sha Tsui on September 12.
 
     Another cluster involved five women, aged 31 to 43, who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting about 23 to 42 hours after having dinner at the same food premises on September 17.

     Four affected persons sought medical attention but none required hospitalisation. All patients are in a stable condition.

     "We have alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident and investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 

• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

     The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, visited Sai Kung District this afternoon (September 28) to learn more about the latest developments and needs of the community. He also met with local District Council members to exchange views on district matters.
      
     Accompanied by the Chairman of the Sai Kung District Council, Mr George Ng, and the District Officer (Sai Kung), Mr David Chiu, Mr Wong was briefed by the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Edwin Tong, and the Head of the Civil Engineering Office, Mr Ricky Lau, on the progress of the feasibility study on relocation of the Sai Kung Sewage Treatment Works (STW) to caverns, as well as the preliminary comprehensive development study for the future planning of the STW's existing site and its vicinity.
      
     Mr Wong was also briefed by Mr Tong on damage to the STW brought about by Super Typhoon Mangkhut and the progress of the repair works.
      
     Mr Wong then proceeded to Sai Kung Town Centre to gain a better understanding of its latest developments. He also inspected various short-term enhancement works along the waterfront promenade, such as the reinstatement of paving blocks, railings and plant.
      
     Before concluding the visit, Mr Wong met with members of Sai Kung District Council to listen to their views and suggestions on the work of the Government, and they exchanged views on residents' issues of concern.

          

　　The Transport Department (TD) today (September 28) announced the Code of Practice for Automated Dockless Bicycle Rental Services and signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Operation of Automated Dockless Bicycle Rental Services (MoU) with four automated bicycle rental operators to promote self-regulatory and sustainable operation of automated dockless bicycle rental services (ADBRS). A number of District Councillors of Tai Po, Sha Tin and North Districts as well as Transport Advisory Committee member and former member of the Hong Kong Olympic cycling team Mr Hung Chung-yam also attended the ceremony to witness the signing of the MoU. 
 
　　Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Commissioner for Transport, Ms Mable Chan, said that promoting green commuting has always been one of the focuses in the transport policy in Hong Kong. Hence, the Government endeavours to foster a bicycle-friendly environment in new towns and new development areas by developing the cycling network and improving the existing cycling facilities, so as to promote cycling as a green mode for short-distance commuting.
 
     Ms Chan noted that the TD is aware of the wide use of ADBRS by members of the public and the highest utilisation of it in new towns had reached almost 10,000 per day. However, it has also caused problems including illegal parking and obstruction.
      
     Drawing reference from different regulatory practices and experiences adopted in overseas cities, the TD formulated, on the basis of the existing legal framework, the Code of Practice for Automated Dockless Bicycle Rental Services, which places an emphasis on the use of information technology and self-discipline in the trade. This, coupled with the regulatory control exercised by relevant departments, will form a two-pronged approach so that the ADBRS operators would operate in a responsible, self-regulatory and sustainable manner.
      
     After several discussions with the ADBRS operators and extensive consultations in districts, the Code was formulated and has proven practicable through the implementation of a pilot scheme. The code mainly covers the following five aspects:
 

1. Operators should not place bicycles in the urban areas due to road safety considerations and the lack of comprehensive cycle tracks and on-street cycle parking spaces in such areas;
2. They should proactively provide customers with appropriate assistance through mobile applications, including giving instructions on safety rules and advice against illegal parking and obstruction;
3. They should set up hotlines to handle enquiries and complaints effectively and make a performance pledge for processing enquiries and complaints;
4. They should put in place an effective site patrolling mechanism; and
5. They should provide operation data to the Government for monitoring and analysis purposes.

 
     Ms Chan thanked the four ADBRS operators (namely HobaBike, Ketch'up Bike, LocoBike and ofo) for supporting the implementation of the Code. She appealed to the trade to continue co-operating with all government departments to promote a bicycle-friendly environment. The TD will also provide not less than 3 500 additional bicycle parking spaces at suitable locations to facilitate cycling by the public. The relevant government departments will continue to carry out enforcement actions and clearance operations against illegal parking black spots for bicycles.
 
     The Code has been uploaded to the website of the TD for public viewing (www.td.gov.hk/mini_site/cic/en/safe-cycling/cycle-parking-tips.html). Meanwhile, the TD will enhance the cycle parking facilities and release the potential illegal parking black spots for bicycles at the website. The TD will also conduct publicity and education such as production of television and radio Announcements in the Public Interest to raise public awareness of proper parking of bicycles.