Author Archives: hksar gov

     Hong Kong Customs today (August 30) arrested two female staff members of a fitness centre suspected of engaging in aggressive commercial practices in the course of selling fitness service, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that staff members of a fitness centre in Causeway Bay imposed undue influence in selling fitness services to a customer who was forced to procure fitness club membership and personal trainer sessions valued at $47,280 and $1,600 respectively.

     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested two women aged 25 and 28.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested women have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops. Before making the purchase decision, consumers should not easily provide their identity cards or credit cards to a salesperson. Consumers should firmly refuse signing any sales documents if they have no intention to purchase.

     Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence of engaging in aggressive commercial practices if harassment, coercion or undue influence is used to impair consumer’s freedom of choice or conduct, causing the consumer to make a transactional decision. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk). read more

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 30) that a carton of burdock, totalling ten kilograms, from Gunma Prefecture, Japan was illegally imported into Hong Kong. None of the product concerned has entered the market. The CFS is following up on the case.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS inspected a consignment of food imported from Japan and found the abovementioned burdock product from Gunma Prefecture therein. It was not accompanied with a radiation certificate and an exporter certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)of Japan, breaching the relevant Food Safety Order. The product concerned has not entered the market and has been marked and sealed by the CFS. The Centre has taken a sample of the product concerned for testing of radiation level and no radiation has been detected.

     “According to the Order, the import of vegetables, fruits, milk, milk beverages and dried milk from four Japanese prefectures, namely Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba and Gunma, must be accompanied with radiation certificates and exporter certificates issued by the MAFF of Japan. The CFS conducts a radiation test on each consignment of Japanese food import, and requires importers not to sell the products until the test result turns out to be satisfactory. The aforementioned illegal import was detected by the CFS during inspection and the product concerned did not enter the market. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the CFS’ gate-keeping work.”

     The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action, including informing the Japanese authorities concerned of the incident. Prosecution will be instituted against the importer concerned should there be sufficient evidence. Investigation is ongoing. read more

     Police today (August 30) appealed to the public for information on a fatal traffic accident in Wong Tai Sin on June 13 in which a 76-year-old woman died.      At about 7.28pm that day, a public … read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 30) investigating an additional local case 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.

     The case is detailed below:
 

Sex	Female
Age	63
Any underlying illness	Yes
Onset date	August 28
Symptoms	Fever, headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia and vomiting
Residence	Tung Loi Court, Cheung Chau
Local movement during incubation period	Cheung Chau
Recollection of mosquito bite history	Yes
Travel history during incubation period	Nil
Medical attendance	Sought medical attention at Accident and Emergency Department of St John Hospital on August 29 and was transferred and admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on the same day
Condition	Stable
Condition of home contact(s)	Asymptomatic
Dengue virus laboratory result	Positive

 
     “We are working closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to assess and prevent possible spread of infection. The FEHD’s vector investigations, surveillance and control are ongoing. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “The CHP has provided information and locations of the residences and local movements of the local DF cases on the CHP’s designated webpage for DF to facilitate handy access to information for the public,” the spokesman said.

     The CHP appeals to members of the public not to visit Lion Rock Park during the closure period in order to prevent contracting DF. Scientific studies have shown that infected persons can transmit the virus to mosquitoes through mosquito bites even if they remain asymptomatic or before their onset of symptoms, leading to further spread of the disease. Hence, people who have visited Lion Rock Park are advised to apply insect repellent for 14 days after their last visit, and those with DF symptoms should seek medical advice as early as possible. Meanwhile, people who reside in or visit Cheung Chau should also be advised to apply insect repellent during their stay and continue applying for 14 days after their last day of stay to prevent infection and secondary spread.

     Persons who have been to the vicinity of Wong Tai Sin (particularly Lion Rock Park), Kwai Shing West Estate, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Cheung Chau (Hillside Road, Tsan Tuen Road, Fa Peng Road, San Hing Street, Cheung Chau Sai Tai Road, Lung Tsai Tsuen, Xavier House, Sai Wan Road, Tung Loi Court and Cheung Chau Peak Road) and Charming Garden with DF symptoms should call the CHP’s hotline (2125 1122) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. The hotline operates from 9am to 5.45pm daily.

     “We have informed the Guangdong and Macao health authorities to alert them to the latest situation,” the spokesman added.

     This is the 28th local case recorded this year. Excluding the local cases, as of noon today (August 30), 62 imported cases had been recorded in 2018. The cases were mainly imported from Thailand (26), the Philippines (12) and Cambodia (7).
 
     In the rainy season, 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 should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the DF pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the FEHD’s Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information. read more

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     As the Landslip Warning has been cancelled, the Home Affairs Department’s Emergency Co-ordination Centre and the emergency hotline 2835 1473 have ceased to operate. read more