The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 30) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable, and start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index remains high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear loose long-sleeved clothing made of close-woven fabrics;
• Wear a wide brim hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming or sweating; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may get more information from the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:

     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force, they should assess the risk of heat stroke to their employees and adopt effective preventive measures such as providing cool drinking water, setting up temporary sunshade and providing mechanical aids to reduce physical exertion of employees. Employees should drink water regularly and be mindful of their physical condition. If early heat stroke symptoms such as headache and thirst appear, they should inform their supervisors and seek medical help immediately.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     The Hong Kong House at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2018 opened in Tsunan, Japan, today (July 29), aiming to connect the people and cultures of Hong Kong and Japan through art. The Hong Kong House is co-presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale for the first time.
 
     Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li, said that as an incubator and promoter of Hong Kong art, the LCSD is deeply honoured to participate in this world-renowned art festival. She expressed the hope that the Hong Kong House will serve as a sustainable platform for cross-disciplinary arts and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Japan, as well as a showcase of Hong Kong's art talent. Ms Li said she also believed that the Hong Kong House will not only become a base for Hong Kong artists to explore rural nature and local culture in Japan, but also an art hub for further international exchanges.
 
     An open call for architectural design proposals and artwork proposals for the Hong Kong House was held by the Art Promotion Office (APO) during July and August last year. From the hundreds of proposals received, an architect team consisting of Yip Chun-hang, Otto Ng, Adam Kor, Lau Chun-tat, Lee Lit-kwan, Lau Yip-fay and Yau Chiu-ting was selected to be responsible for the exterior, structural and interior design of the Hong Kong House, while three artist groups comprising Leung Chi Wo + Sara Wong, Annie Wan, and L sub (Pak Sheung-chuen, Wendy Wo and Yim Sui-fong) have been commissioned to showcase their artworks at the Hong Kong House in 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively.
 
     Apart from presenting artworks by Hong Kong artists, a range of special programmes and fringe activities will be held over the three years, including workshops by artists, performances, sonic experience programmes, writer-in-residence programmes, literature sharing and printmaking activities.
 
     The Hong Kong House is now running the "Tsunan Museum of the Lost" exhibition till September 17, with the participating artists being Leung Chi Wo + Sara Wong. A variety of fringe activities will also be held in the Hong Kong House by activity collaborators, including soundpocket, Art Appraisal Club and Fleurs des Lettres, from July to September. For details of the events, please visit the Facebook page of the project at www.facebook.com/apo.hkhouse.
 
     Other officiating guests at the ceremony included the Chairman of the Art Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee, Mr Vincent Lo; the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Ms Shirley Yung; the Mayor of Tsunan Town, Mrs Haruka Kuwabara; the Chairman of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale Executive Committee, Mr Yoshifumi Sekiguchi; the General Director of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, Mr Fram Kitagawa; the Director of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Professor Adrian Walter; and the Head of the APO, Dr Lesley Lau.
 
     The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale is one of the largest international outdoor art festivals in the world and is held once every three years in the Echigo-Tsumari region. Using farmland as the stage and art as a catalyst, the Triennale provides a platform to present projects and initiatives which aim to reveal existing assets of the region and rebuild the relationship between humans and nature through artistic creation, appreciation and participation. Since 2000, over 700 artists from all over the world have made use of the plentiful resources from the land and the community to create more than 1 000 pieces of art. Abandoned houses and schools in Echigo-Tsumari are adaptively reused and transformed into stages to showcase artworks and creative ideas.
 
     The Hong Kong House is presented by the LCSD and organised by the APO, with the collaboration of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale Executive Committee and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. The activity collaborators are soundpocket, Fleurs des Lettres, Art Appraisal Club and Hong Kong Open Printshop. The project is also supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Tokyo. For details, please visit the project's website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/APO/en_US/web/apo/hong_kong_house_echigo_tsumari_art_triennale_2018.html, or call 2512 3018, 2512 3019 or 2512 3020.
 
     The Hong Kong House is located at 29 – 4 Miyanohara, Kamigo, Tsunan-machi, Nakauonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

            

     The Home Affairs Department has opened 18 temporary night heat shelters for people in need of the service.
      
     The shelters will be open until 8am tomorrow.
      
     For further information, please call the department's enquiries hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.
      
     The 18 temporary night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern/Wan Chai –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
Waiting Lobby, 3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
Multi-purpose Room, 1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Nam Cheong Street, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
Hall, G/F, 45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
 
     The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as either community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community and cannot continue to be open as heat shelters. People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas in any of the 21 designated community centres or community halls.  Their opening hours are from 9am to 10pm.   For addresses of the community centres or community halls, please browse the following webpage: https://www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.