Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) raided an unlicensed food factory at Ma Tin Tsuen, Yuen Long, early this morning (September 14).      During the operation, FEHD officers sei… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 14) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
 
     From September 8 to 13, the CHP recorded eight imported DF cases. The patients had been to Mainland China (two cases), the Philippines (two cases), Thailand (two cases), India (one case) and Vietnam (one case) during the incubation period. 

     As of yesterday, 106 cases had been confirmed this year, 29 of which were local cases and 77 imported cases. The imported cases were mainly imported from Thailand (29), the Philippines (14) and Cambodia (nine).
 
     DF remains endemic in some areas in Asia and beyond. The latest figures for 2018 reveal that 54 808 cases have been recorded in Thailand, 1 984 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 109 in Japan. In Taiwan, 112 local cases have been recorded to date in 2018. In the Americas, the latest figures indicate that 26 984 cases have been filed in Mexico in 2018.
 
     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

 
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika virus infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

 
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP’s tips for using insect repellents for details. read more

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (September 14) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay*).
        
     Twelve beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 20 as Fair (Grade 2), six as Poor (Grade 3) and one as Very Poor (Grade 4).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:       

Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach	Repulse Bay Beach
Chung Hom Kok Beach	South Bay Beach
Hap Mun Bay Beach	St Stephen’s Beach
Hung Shing Yeh Beach	Tong Fuk Beach
Kwun Yam Beach	Turtle Cove Beach
Lo So Shing Beach	Upper Cheung Sha Beach

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

Cafeteria New Beach	Kiu Tsui Beach
Cafeteria Old Beach	Lido Beach
Castle Peak Beach	Lower Cheung Sha Beach
Clear Water Bay First Beach	Middle Bay Beach
Clear Water Bay Second Beach	Pui O Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach	Shek O Beach
Discovery Bay	Silver Mine Bay Beach
Golden Beach	Silverstrand Beach
Hoi Mei Wan Beach	Stanley Main Beach
Kadoorie Beach	Trio Beach

 
Grade 3 beaches are:

Approach Beach	Casam Beach
Big Wave Bay Beach	Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach
Butterfly Beach	Ting Kau Beach

 
Grade 4 beach is:
Anglers’ Beach
 
* Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.
 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Castle Peak Beach has been upgraded from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Kiu Tsui Beach, Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Middle Bay Beach, Shek O Beach and Trio Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2; Butterfly Beach, Casam Beach and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach from Grade 2 to Grade 3; and Anglers’ Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 4. 
      
     “The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches,” an EPD spokesman said. “For Anglers’ Beach, the temporary deterioration of water quality was due to frequent heavy rain that occurred in late August and early September.”
      
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.
      
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department’s websites on Beach Water Quality (www.beachwq.gov.hk and www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. read more

     The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Tong Yan San Tsuen Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     “The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide development and redevelopment within the Tong Yan San Tsuen area,” a spokesman for the Town Planning Board (the Board) said today (September 14).

     The planning scheme area, covering an area of about 647 hectares, is bounded by Castle Peak Road – Hung Shui Kiu to Ping Shan Sections to the north, Yuen Long New Town and Tai Tong area to the east, Lam Tei and Yick Yuen area to the west and the range of hills leading to Tai Lam Country Park to the south.

     Two sites of about 3.32 hectares are zoned “Comprehensive Development Area” for comprehensive development/redevelopment for residential use with the provision of open space, commercial and other supporting facilities. 

     About 22.69 hectares of land are zoned “Residential (Group A)” or its sub-areas primarily for high-density residential developments, including two sites for public housing developments. About 61.93 hectares, 12.78 hectares and 48.19 hectares of land are zoned “Residential (Group B)” or its sub-areas, “Residential (Group C)” and “Residential (Group D)” respectively for residential developments at various densities.

     About 59.86 hectares of land are zoned “Village Type Development” to designate both existing recognised villages and land suitable for village expansion.

     About 14.80 hectares, 10.51 hectares and 4.75 hectares of land are zoned “Industrial”, “Industrial (Group D)” and “Open Storage” respectively for relevant developments. Two sites with a total area of about 0.44 hectares are zoned “Other Specified Uses” annotated “Petrol Filling Station” to reflect existing petrol filling stations.

     About 14.35 hectares of land are zoned “Government, Institution or Community” primarily for the provision of government, institution or community facilities serving the needs of local residents and/or a wider district, region or the territory. About 1 hectare of land is zoned “Open Space” for the provision of outdoor open-air public space for active and/or passive recreational uses.

     About 101 hectares of land to the west of Kung Um Road are zoned “Undetermined” to cater for the continuing demand for open storage which cannot be accommodated in conventional godown premises. The area is now being reviewed under the Planning and Engineering Study for Housing Sites in Yuen Long South.

     To define the limits of urban and sub-urban development areas and to contain urban sprawl as well as to provide passive recreational outlets, about 129.22 hectares of land are zoned “Green Belt”. About 129.11 hectares of land are zoned “Conservation Area” to protect and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographic features.

     The approved Tong Yan San Tsuen OZP No. S/YL-TYST/12 is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Board; the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department in North Point and Sha Tin; the Tuen Mun and Yuen Long West District Planning Office; the Yuen Long District Office; the Shap Pat Heung Rural Committee and the Ping Shan Rural Committee.
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     Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed at the Board’s website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb). read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (Se… read more