The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (August 28) attended the "Mainland study tour of the senior secondary subject of Citizenship and Social Development (CS) thanksgiving session and launch ceremony of the new school year", jointly organised by the Department of Education of Guangdong Province and the Education Bureau (EDB) in Guangzhou. The Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li, also joined the event.
 
     Addressing the ceremony, Dr Choi expressed gratitude to leaders of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the Ministry of Education, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Department of Education of Guangdong Province and the education bureaux of various municipalities for their support and care for Hong Kong students, facilitating successful completion of the study tour programme.
 
     She said that, in his recent reply letter to Hong Kong secondary students, President Xi Jinping especially encouraged students to combine reading and travelling, delve into the history and culture of the country and national affairs, strengthen their affection for and sense of belonging to the country and sharpen their skills and abilities. In the new school year, with the good experience over the past few months, the EDB will strengthen collaboration with various units to further expand the Mainland study tour programme, enrich students' learning experience, deepen the results of the study tours, inspire students' interests, and help them combine reading and travelling to fully implement the spirit of President Xi's letter.
 
     The event today was attended by over 200 representatives from Hong Kong and the Mainland. Principals and students from two Hong Kong schools shared about what they had gained from the study tours. Representatives from the Shenzhen Municipal Education Bureau and the Chaozhou Municipal Education Bureau also concluded their experiences in receiving the tours. Dr Choi, Ms Li and Mainland leaders then officiated at the launch ceremony to mark the beginning of the CS Mainland study tours in the new school year. 
 
     The first CS Mainland study tour began in April this year. The tours have been well received by the education sector with over 43 000 senior secondary students and more than 5 000 teachers participating so far. The Mainland study tours in the new school year will include routes outside Guangdong Province with a longer duration. For some itineraries, pilot visits to activity bases for students' comprehensive practice in Guangzhou and Shanghai will be arranged for experiential learning in line with the CS curriculum to further broaden students' horizons.
 
     This morning, Dr Choi visited the headquarters of Tencent Holdings Limited in Shenzhen and explored opportunities for further co-operation. She will tour the Guangzhou University City tomorrow morning (August 29) to learn about its planning, operation and management. She will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon.

              

     The Transport Department (TD) said today (August 28) that the operation of the HKeToll has been generally smooth since its implementation at the Eastern Harbour Crossing from 5am yesterday (August 27).
      
     The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre has been closely monitoring the traffic situation at the Eastern Harbour Crossing. The overall traffic flow has been smooth in general. During today's morning peak hours, the traffic queue towards Hong Kong Island is at Sceneway Garden, which is similar to that before the implementation of the HKeToll, and generally motorists can adapt to the new traffic arrangements.
      
     At present, 98 per cent of the vehicles are issued vehicle tags. From 0.00am to 5:30pm today, a total of about 53 400 vehicles passed through the Eastern Harbour Crossing. Among them, about 90 per cent of the vehicles were detected with vehicle tags installed, and about 70 per cent of the vehicles used an automatic payment means. With the progressive implementation of the HKeToll in government toll tunnels, the TD once again appeals to vehicle owners who have received vehicle tags to complete the three steps for the HKeToll service as soon as possible: (1) install a vehicle tag, (2) open an HKeToll account and (3) set up an automatic payment means, so as to fully enjoy the convenience of the HKeToll.
      
     The TD reminds that vehicle owners must pay the toll within 14 business days after passing through the tunnel. He/she can log on to the HKeToll website (hketoll.gov.hk) or mobile app to check the outstanding toll and pay, either by credit card or by following the instructions to generate a QR code to either pay via the Faster Payment System or at 7-Eleven convenience stores by cash. The HKeToll website provides a video to guide vehicle owners on how to set up the automatic payment means and pay outstanding tolls online. Payments of outstanding tolls can also be made at the four customer service centres and four service outlets. If vehicle owners have any enquiries about setting up an automatic payment means, paying an outstanding toll or the other HKeToll services, they can call the 24-hour customer service hotline at 3853 7333 or visit the customer service centres, service outlets or consultation counters at designated MTR stations and Home Affairs Enquiry Centres in the District Offices. The staff will provide appropriate assistance. The locations and service hours of the above-mentioned facilities are in Annex 1.
 
     In addition, holders of Government Tunnel Toll Tickets (toll tickets) can apply for a refund at the eight refund centres located at the car parks in Central, Shau Kei Wan, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin, Kwai Fong, Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin until June 30, 2024. The locations and service hours of the refund centres are shown in Annex 2. They can continue to use toll tickets at the Tate's Cairn Tunnel and the Aberdeen Tunnel where the HKeToll has yet to be implemented.
 
     The second phase of implementation of the HKeToll has been completed smoothly at the three road harbour crossings. The TD will implement the third phase of the HKeToll and extend the arrangements to the Tate's Cairn Tunnel and the Aberdeen Tunnel by the end of this year. Details and exact dates will be announced later.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 28) investigating an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) at a residential care home for persons with disabilities (RCHD) in Southern District, and appeals to members of the public and staff of institutions to stay alert and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene.

     The outbreak involves 10 male and 17 female residents aged 44 to 84. They developed symptoms since August 17, and 27 of them sought medical attention. Five of them required hospitalisation. Two of them tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus upon laboratory testing. All of them are in stable condition.

     The CHP has provided preventive advice against URTI to the RCHD, such as advising the centre to arrange cleaning and disinfection, to open windows where appropriate for better ventilation and to separate affected residents from other residents, etc. The residential care home for persons with disabilities has been placed under medical surveillance.

     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses, and note the following:
 

• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• 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;
• Cover the nose and mouth with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     â€‹
     Members of the public, particularly children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases, should consult a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection.

     Construction Safety Week (CSW) 2023, co-organised by the Development Bureau and the Construction Industry Council (CIC), is being held from today (August 28) to September 3. Under the theme of "United for a New Site Safety Chapter", an array of events will be held including the CSW Conference, a public exhibition, visits to construction sites with exemplary safety performance, the award presentation ceremony of the 29th Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme and the CSW Carnival.
 
     Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that the Government has taken into account the views of industry stakeholders to further enhance the site safety management system, and adopted a multipronged approach to step up site safety. She pointed out that the Government has required all public works contracts with contract sum exceeding $30 million to adopt the Smart Site Safety System and subsidised private works projects to adopt the system through the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund. At the same time, the Government will also promote the adoption of Design for Safety in the industry to reduce construction hazards at source. She called on the industry to continue to transform the culture of site safety with concerted efforts and further adopt the Smart Site Safety System and Design for Safety. 

     The Chairman of the CIC, Mr Thomas Ho, said that transforming the site safety culture was pivotal to improving site safety. He indicated that the CIC has rolled out a pilot scheme to promote a wider adoption of Design for Safety in the industry. He said he was glad to know that a number of developers have expressed interest in participating in the pilot scheme.  
 
     The CSW Conference commenced right after the kick-off ceremony. Experts and industry practitioners shared with the audience their experience in the adoption of the Smart Site Safety System, Design for Safety, innovation and technology, and data science to enhance site safety. An exhibition on the Smart Site Safety System was also held at the venue.
 
     CSW, launched in 2012, aims to promote a zero-accident site environment and a caring environment in the construction industry. The campaign has received support from various sectors of the community including professional groups, organisations, trade associations and labour unions. Details of this year's CSW are available at www.safetyweek.hk.

      

     â€‹The Home Affairs Department is opening 18 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (August 28).

     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
———————

Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern –
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
——————

Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
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 –
Lai Kok Community Hall
Lai Kok Estate, Cheung Sha Wan 

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
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

    In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.