The Government announced today (June 1) the re-appointment of Mr Christopher Chan Yiu-chong as Deputy Chairman of the Appeal Board on Public Meetings and Processions made by the Chief Executive under section 43(3) of the Public Order Ordinance (Cap 245). The above appointment will be effective from August 1, 2018, for a term of two years and was also gazetted today.
      
     The Appeal Board comprises a Chairman, two Deputy Chairmen and 13 members, all of whom are not public officers. The Appeal Board is responsible for considering appeals against the decision of the Commissioner of Police to prohibit a public meeting, object to a public procession or impose or amend conditions on a public meeting or public procession under sections 9, 14, 11 or 15 of the Public Order Ordinance respectively. The Appeal Board is empowered to confirm, reverse or vary the decision being appealed against.    

The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:

     This press release summarises the decisions of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 75th meeting held in May 2018:

Broadcast Complaints
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     In respect of two complaint cases involving licensees' breaches of the provisions relating to indirect advertising in the Generic Code of Practice on Television Programme Standards (TV Programme Code):

(a) for the first complaint case concerning the references to and/or exposure of a mobile app service in five television programmes, namely, "Big Big Kids Awards 2017", "Big Big Channel What's In Store", "The Big Big Channel Nite" and "Big Big Channel Mid-Autumn Hasty Party" broadcast on the Jade Channel of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) in June, July and October 2017, and in "Scoop", broadcast on the Jade Channel of TVB on June 22 and 23, 2017 and rerun on the Jade Catch-Up Channel of PCCW Media Limited (now TV), the CA decided that:

(i) a financial penalty of $300,000 should be imposed on TVB for breaching the relevant provisions in the TV Programme Code in respect of the broadcast of the four programmes "Big Big Kids Awards 2017", "Scoop" (two episodes), "Big Big Channel What's In Store" and "The Big Big Channel Nite" collectively;

(ii) in respect of the broadcast of the programme "Big Big Channel Mid-Autumn Hasty Party", TVB should be seriously warned to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the TV Programme Code;

(iii) in respect of the broadcast of the programme "Scoop", now TV should be advised to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the TV Programme Code; and

(b) for the second complaint case concerning two television programme promos broadcast on the Jade Channel of TVB, namely, the promo for "TVB 50th Anniversary Gala" on November 19, 2017, and the promo for "TV Awards Presentation 2017" on January 21, 2018, the CA decided that TVB should be strongly advised to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the TV Programme Code.
 
     Details of the above cases are at: https://www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/en/content_713/appx_20180601_en.pdf.

     The above complaints concerned indirect advertising. While the CA is conducting a review of the regulation of indirect advertising, the process is still ongoing. Meanwhile, licensees are obliged to continue to comply with the applicable provisions in the prevailing Codes of Practice, unless and until any changes that may be made to them consequent to the review take effect.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and the Guangzhou Industry and Trade Technician College (GITTC) today (June 1) signed a memorandum of co-operation to strengthen their collaboration in the training of electrical and mechanical (E&M) technicians.

     Last year, the EMSD for the first time conducted training and experience sharing sessions with the GITTC for refrigeration and air conditioning (R&AC) technician trainees. Two of them took part in the categories of electrical installation and R&AC at the WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi later that year and achieved satisfactory results.

     In order to promote the professional technical standards of R&AC to attract young people to join the E&M industry, the EMSD signed a memorandum of co-operation with the GITTC to foster the manpower training and exchanges of both sides regarding R&AC techniques, with a view to enhancing the professional standards of EMSD trainees and the entire industry. In addition, both sides will enhance their experience sharing after taking part in the R&AC category of the WorldSkills Competition so as to prepare for the next contest.

     Addressing the signing ceremony of the memorandum, the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Alfred Sit, said that the GITTC has all along spared no effort in the training of E&M personnel. He said he hoped that both sides could strengthen collaboration in enhancing the professional standards of E&M personnel and also in training talents for the development of the region.

    

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, June 1, 2018 is 99.8 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 1) 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 May 25 to 31, the CHP recorded one confirmed DF case and the patient had been to Thailand during the incubation period.  
 
     As of yesterday (May 31), 23 cases had been confirmed this year, all of which were imported cases. The cases were mainly imported from Thailand (10), the Philippines (six), Cambodia (two) and Vietnam (two).
 
     DF remains endemic in some areas in Asia. The latest figures for 2018 reveal that 13 164 cases have been recorded in Thailand, 1 096 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 46 in Japan. In the Americas, the latest figures indicate that 101 863 and 8 801 cases have been filed in Brazil and Mexico respectively 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 concentration of DEET of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents for details.