Following is a reminder of the press releases on statistical data to be issued between August and October 2018. The schedule for issuing press releases on statistical data in 2018 was provided to the media in September 2017. No change has been made to the original schedule.
 
August 2018
==========
Date     Press Release
—–     ——————
1        Retail sales statistics for June 2018
3        Restaurant receipts and purchases statistics for second quarter 2018
9        Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade
          for June 2018
10       Gross Domestic Product for second quarter 2018: data contained
           in the press release entitled "Economic Situation in the Second
           Quarter of 2018 and Latest GDP and Price Forecasts for 2018"
           issued by the Office of the Government Economist under the
           Financial Secretary's Office (Note)
14       Mid-year population for 2018
17       Unemployment and underemployment statistics for May – July 2018
21       Consumer Price Index for July 2018
27       External merchandise trade statistics for July 2018
30       Retail sales statistics for July 2018
 
September 2018
============
Date     Press Release
—–      ——————
6          Statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for second
            quarter 2018
10        Quarterly business receipts indices for service industries for
            second quarter 2018
11        Construction output statistics for second quarter 2018
11        Statistics on trade involving outward processing in the mainland
            of China for second quarter 2018
13        Index of industrial production and producer price index for
            the industrial sector for second quarter 2018
14        Gross National Income and external primary income flows for 
            second quarter 2018
18        Unemployment and underemployment statistics for June – August
            2018
19        Chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product by economic
            activity for second quarter 2018
20        Consumer Price Index for August 2018
20        Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for
            July 2018
20        Employment and vacancies statistics for June 2018
21        Balance of Payments and International Investment Position
            statistics for second quarter 2018
27        External merchandise trade statistics for August 2018
27        Wage and payroll statistics for June 2018
 
October 2018
==========
Date      Press Release
—–      ——————
2          Retail sales statistics for August 2018
18        Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for
            August 2018
19        Unemployment and underemployment statistics for July –
            September 2018
19        Business expectations for fourth quarter 2018
23        Consumer Price Index for September 2018
25        External merchandise trade statistics for September 2018
26        Salary indices for managerial and professional employees for
            June 2018
 
Note: The Office of the Government Economist under the Financial Secretary's Office will issue a press release on the Half-yearly Economic Report 2018 and second update of the GDP and prices forecasts for 2018 as a whole. The GDP for the second quarter of 2018 will also be released there. No separate press release on the GDP for the second quarter of 2018 will be issued by the Census and Statistics Department on that day.
 
     The schedule for regular press releases in the other months of 2018 can be downloaded from the website of the Census and Statistics Department (www.censtatd.gov.hk/press_release/index.jsp).

     Police yesterday (July 30) held the Regional Traffic Day in Kowloon West to raise public awareness of road safety through stringent enforcement actions.

     A total of 243 officers from Traffic Kowloon West and District Traffic Teams of Kowloon City, Mong Kok, Shum Shui Po and Yau Tsim Districts were deployed to take enforcement actions at traffic black spots in Kowloon West.

     The operation resulted in the issue of 1 726 fixed penalty tickets and 128 summonses. Among the fixed penalty tickets and summonses issued, a total of 1 588 fixed penalty tickets were issued for illegal parking and the rest are for other traffic offences.

     Police figures revealed that a total of 1 539 traffic accidents involving casualties occurred in Kowloon West in the first six months of 2018, of which 385 cases involved pedestrian injuries.

     Police will continue to take regular enforcement actions to ensure road safety.

     The Government's measure to cap the import and export declaration (TDEC) charge at $200 will take effect from tomorrow (August 1). The cap will apply to goods imported to Hong Kong, or exported or re-exported from Hong Kong, on or after August 1.
 
     Under the above measure, for each TDEC involving goods at a value above $1.644 million, the TDEC charge will remain at $200. 
 
     The arrangements for the lodgement of TDECs and payment of charges will remain unchanged. For enquiries, please contact the Customs and Excise Department (hotline: 2707 7748, email: customsenquiry@customs.gov.hk), the Census and Statistics Department (hotline: 2877 1818, email: trade-declaration@censtatd.gov.hk) or the three Government-appointed service providers of Government Electronic Trading Services (namely Brio Electronic Commerce Limited, Global e-Trading Services Limited and Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited, with contact information available at www.cedb.gov.hk/citb/en/Policy_Responsibilities/gets_sp.html).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 31) 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.