Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (June 3).

The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 2) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Turtle Cove Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Silverstrand Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Three charities have been issued Public Subscription Permits to hold flag sales from 7am to 12.30pm today (June 2). They are, on Hong Kong Island, the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation; in Kowloon, Light and Love Home Limited; and in the New Territories, Tin Shui Wai Residents Services Association Fund Committee Limited, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.

     Arrangements have been made with the charities to help people distinguish between the three flag-selling activities.

     Information on the three flag-selling organisations on June 2 is as follows:
 

     For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the Charitable Fund-raising Control Team at 2832 4311 during office hours. Information on the flag days of the month is available at the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_whatsnew/). Permits for flag days containing contact information of the flag-selling organisations and information on the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_controlofc/sub_recentlyap/). For enquiries about the detailed flag-selling arrangements, please contact the individual flag-selling organisations.

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities covered by the Public Subscription Permit issued by the SWD have also been uploaded to the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/fundraising).
 
     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, in Dublin today (June 1, Dublin time) sought closer co-operation between Hong Kong and Ireland.

     On the second day of his visit, Mr Chan first attended a roundtable discussion with the Minister of State at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform of Ireland, Mr Michael D'arcy and a group of key figures in Irish financial services, to discuss the latest development of green finance in both places.

     Mr Chan said that a number of measures were launched in the Budget this year to promote the development of green finance in Hong Kong, including a Government Green Bond Programme with a borrowing ceiling of $100 billion for funding green public works projects; and a Green Bond Grant Scheme to subsidise qualified green bond issuers in using the Green Finance Certification Scheme. He said that given the well-developed financial services in Ireland, there are clear synergies for Hong Kong and Ireland to work together in green finance.

     He then met with the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform of Ireland, Mr Paschal Donohoe, to exchange views on global and Europe's economic prospect. Both sides looked forward to further collaboration between Hong Kong and Ireland in financial services, trade and other sectors.

     In the afternoon, Mr Chan met with senior management of the National Treasury Management Agency and shared experience in management of public finances. Following this was a meeting with members of the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland as well as the Fintech & Payments Association of Ireland. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong strives to provide an enabling environment for developing innovation and technology and Fintech. In terms of payment system and infrastructure, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will launch a Faster Payment System that allows banks and Stored Value Facility service providers to provide real-time, round-the-clock, cross-institution payment and fund transfer service to their business and personal customers.

     Earlier today, Mr Chan paid a courtesy call on Chinese Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Yue Xiaoyong.

     Concluding the visit to Dublin, Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong in the morning of June 4 (Hong Kong time).

          

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 1) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection.

     The 12-year-old boy, with good past health, has presented with fever, cough and sore throat since May 28. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital yesterday (May 31) where he was admitted on the same day. He was subsequently transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for further management today.

     His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was shock. He is now in a serious condition.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had received seasonal influenza vaccination for the current season and had no travel history in the incubation period. His younger brother was also confirmed to have Influenza A infection recently and has recovered. His other  home contacts are asymptomatic so far. Investigations are ongoing.

     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
 

• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub as an effective alternative;
• Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     For more information, please visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly Flu Express.