Author Archives: hksar gov

     A man who conducted illegal earthwork activities and dumping of construction waste at the conservation area of Nam Sang Wai Outline Zoning Plan in Tai Sang Wai, Yuen Long, which is a government land, was fined a total of $28,000 by Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (May 15) for contravening the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) and the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).
      
     An Environmental Protection Department (EPD) spokesman said that the department received a report last October from a member of the public about illegal pond-filling activities at the conservation area in Tai Sang Wai, Yuen Long. EPD officers conducted a blitz inspection and intercepted a truck which was dumping rubble and debris at the above site, while an excavator was also conducting levelling works by pushing the rubble and debris at the fish pond area. These activities were suspected to have violated the WDO and the EIAO. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the person who was intercepted on-site.
      
     The spokesman said that the area concerned belongs to a conservation area under the Nam Sang Wai Outline Zoning Plan, which aims to preserve the ecological value and functions of existing fish ponds in the area. According to the EIAO, it is an offence to conduct earthworks at a conservation area without an environmental permit issued by the EPD. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and six months’ imprisonment. According to the WDO, any person who deposits waste on government land illegally is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment on first conviction.

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     The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, visited Southern District today (May 15) to exchange views on district matters with local District Council members and visit the facilities of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Jockey Club Media 21 (M21). The Under Secretary for Development, Mr Liu Chun-san, also joined the visit.
 
     Accompanied by the Chairman of the Southern District Council, Mr Chu Ching-hong, and the District Officer (Southern), Mrs Dorothy Ma, Mr Wong began his visit by meeting members of the Southern District Council to learn about the latest developments and needs of the district, and listen to members’ views on the work of the Government.
 
     Mr Wong then visited M21, a multimedia production platform for youths established by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, to learn about its facilities and development direction. Equipped with a wide range of media facilities such as online television and radio studios that are available for rent, M21 also organises various multimedia production courses to nurture talents in the field. Mr Wong chatted with M21’s members to understand their studies and aspirations, and encouraged them to put their learning to good use and unleash their potential.

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     Two men and one woman were fined from $6,000 to $10,500 at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (May 15) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.

     The courts heard that in October last year, officers from the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted inspections at two clubs on Yee Wo Street in Causeway Bay which had been operating with certificates of compliance (CoCs).

     During the investigation in one of the clubs on Yee Wo Street, the OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the club for food and drinks without being asked to show their membership status or being invited to join the club as member. Also, the club was found to have a layout that deviated from the registered drawings and the number of people at the club during the inspection exceeded the maximum allowable capacity as stipulated in the CoC. Conditions 3, 6 and 19 of the CoC were breached.

     The other club on Yee Wo Street also served non-members. The staff of the club failed to show a copy of the certificate of the registered drawings upon the OLA officers’ request as well. Conditions 17 and 19 of the CoC were breached.

     The men and woman, being the CoC holder and the managers of the clubs, were charged with contravening section 21(1)(a) or section 21(2) of the Ordinance.

     A spokesman for the department reminded all CoC holders to comply with the conditions as stipulated therein. Enforcement action will continue to be taken against illegal club operations. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 15) investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in a secondary school in Wan Chai, and hence reminded the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene against AGE.

     The outbreak involves one male staff member and 23 students, comprising 11 males and 12 females aged 14 to 18, who developed vomiting, diarrhoea and fever since May 9. Among them, six patients sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All patients have been in a stable condition.
 
     Officers of the CHP conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the staff of the school concerning proper and thorough disinfection, proper disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The school has been put under medical surveillance.
 
     The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.
 
     A spokesman for the CHP advised members of the public to take heed of the following preventive measures against gastroenteritis:
 

• Ensure proper personal hygiene;
• Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, after using the toilet or after changing diapers;
• Wear gloves when disposing of vomitus or faecal matter, and wash hands afterwards;
• Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water). Wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Pay attention to food hygiene;
• Use separate utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked;
• Drink boiled water; and
• Do not patronise unlicensed food premises or food stalls.

     The public may visit the CHP’s website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Health Education Hotline (2833 0111) for more information. read more

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has accepted the advice of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee and approved from the Disaster Relief Fund a grant of $3.207 million to the Adventist Development a… read more