Author Archives: hksar gov

     Pok Oi Hospital has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (August 5), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.  

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and 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_flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD’s hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.

     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. read more

     Police are investigating an attempted suicide and attempted murder case happened in Ma On Shan today (August 4) and arrested a 51-year-old man.      At 4.15pm today, Police received a report that a 51-year-old man suspectedly attempted t… read more

     â€‹The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) participates in the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) Career Expo 2023 for three consecutive days from today (August 4) to August 6 (Sunday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. A booth is set up to introduce the job duties and career information of various professional grades of the CAD.
 
     The CAD booth locates at E10 in Hall 3E of the exhibition centre. With simulated scenarios of airport operations being showcased at the booth, visitors can experience how air traffic control officers in the control tower direct flights to land and take off. Visitors can also test their air traffic controlling skills by taking part in an interactive game at the CAD booth. Souvenirs will be given to the visitors who successfully complete the missions in the interactive games, with the aim of raising visitors’ interest in joining the CAD while enhancing their understanding of air traffic control operations.
 
     The CAD will also hold a career talk on “Road To Air Traffic Control Officer” from 4.15pm to 4.45pm on August 6 (Sunday) at the venue. A serving air traffic control officer will introduce job duties and the career path of the concerned grade. Persons who are interested in the grade would not want to miss the talk.
 
     The HKIA Career Expo 2023, held at Hall 3E of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, is open from 4pm to 8pm on August 4, and from 11am to 6pm on August 5 and 6. Admission is free.
 
     For career information of the CAD’s professional grades, please visit the CAD’s website: www.cad.gov.hk/english/career_opportunities.html. For details of the HKIA Career Expo 2023, please visit its designated website: www.hkairportjobs.com.

read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (August 4) that it is investigating two confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) cases, and urged the public to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are strongly advised to receive Mpox vaccination.

     The first case involves a 39-year-old male patient with good past health. He had developed localised skin ulcer since July 31 and a rash since August 1. He visited the Yau Ma Tei Male Social Hygiene Clinic of the DH on the same day. He has been admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital and he is in a stable condition. An initial investigation revealed that he had high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period.
 
     The other case involves a 27-year-old male patient with good past health. He had developed a rash since August 2. He sought medical attention at the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Tsuen Wan on the same day and was admitted. He was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital today and is in a stable condition. An initial investigation revealed that he had visited Thailand during the incubation period. According to the patient, he only had high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period.

     The CHP has yet identified epidemiological linkages between these two cases. No epidemiological linkages between these two cases and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far either. The CHP’s epidemiological investigations of the cases are ongoing, including contact tracing and infection source investigation. The CHP will report the cases to the World Health Organization.

     The CHP had earlier set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373). The hotline operates from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9am to 5pm, which enables those who suspect or are concerned they have had high-risk contact with confirmed patients, in particular men who have sex with men or those who have sexual practices with strangers, to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice. Meanwhile, the CHP reminds the public, especially those subject to high risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches.

     The CHP reminds members of the public that Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. Proper personal and hand hygiene can help prevent getting infected via contact.

     The Government has activated the Alert level of the preparedness and response plan for the disease in September last year and will continue to assess the risk in view of the latest scientific evidence and situation, and implement corresponding control measures.

     The Mpox vaccination programme for high-risk groups commenced on October 5 last year. Under the programme, the following high-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination on a voluntary basis:
 

1. Individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
2. Healthcare workers responsible for caring of patients with confirmed Mpox;
3. Laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
4. Animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrence in animals in Hong Kong.

     High-risk target groups can receive Mpox vaccination at the designated Mpox vaccination centre (situated at 2/F, CHP building, 147C Argyle Street, Mong Kok) by appointment through email (mpv_booking@dh.gov.hk) or telephone booking line (2547 1900) during office hours. They can also receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at all of the DH’s Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS). Further information of the clinics including their locations is available at www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcf.html and www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_shcm.html.

     Meanwhile, the DH’s Integrated Treatment Centre in Kowloon Bay, and the Hospital Authority’s Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital will continue to provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

     â€‹For more details, please visit the CHP’s page on Mpox. read more

     The cultural exchange programme “Genesis and Spirit – Tea for Harmony · Yaji Cultural Salon: Exhibition of the Tea Culture of Zhejiang” will be held from tomorrow (August 5) to August 15 at the Exhibition Gallery of the Hong Kong Central Library to showcase 40 intangible cultural heritage (ICH) items from Zhejiang including six national items related to “traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China” and other items of different levels. The exhibition has also arranged for demonstrations by ICH bearers and experiential activities for the public.
      
     Addressing the opening ceremony today (August 4), the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, congratulated the country again on its successful inscription application of the “traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization last year. He pointed out that the successful application was attributable to the spearheading of Zhejiang Province. The province has a rich culture of tea and has been contributing tireless efforts to preserving and inheriting the ICH items. This exhibition brings together people from both Zhejiang and Hong Kong, transmitting the idea of Tea for Harmony and facilitating the exchange of tea culture between the two places. While providing Hong Kong people with chances to learn more and experience the traditional tea processing techniques and the depth and richness of tea culture, the exhibition also helps to echo the theme of “Genesis and Spirit” and the fact that Hong Kong and the Mainland share the common historic origins and roots in culture.
      
     Other officiating guests included the Director of the Asia Tourism Exchange Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Zhang Dong; the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Lin Nan; Second-Grade Inspector of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism Mr Dai Yan; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the Chairperson of the ICH Advisory Committee, Professor Ricardo Mak; First-Grade Consultant of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Division of International Cooperation and Exchange Bureau (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office) of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Mr Wu Jun; the Secretary, Deputy Director of the Zhejiang Provincial Center of Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection, Mr Wu Yanfei; and the Head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office (ICH Office), Ms Joyce Ho.
      
     The tea-related world ICH items of Zhejiang showcased in the exhibition include West Lake Longjing tea processing technique, Wuzhou juyan tea processing technique, zisun tea processing technique and Anji white tea processing technique, temple fair (ganchachang) and Jingshan tea banquet. Other ICH items in the exhibition are indigo-dyed cloth printing and dyeing techniques, Shengzhou bamboo weaving, iron casting technique, traditional firing technique of Longquan celadon and firing technique of zisha.
      
     Various ICH bearers from Zhejiang are invited to demonstrate on-site Shengzhou bamboo weaving, Wuzhou juyan tea-tipping technique of the Song dynasty and Putuo Mountain Buddhist tea ceremony. Members of public can also join the experimental activities including “traditional qipao making technique (meiruyi): embroidery”, “traditional making technique of theatrical costume (nangongxiu): the cloths in Song dynasty”, “tea dyeing technique of Xiaoshan guojiang cloth: tea dyeing” and “Wuzhou juyan tea-tipping technique of the Song dynasty: tea-tipping”. Meanwhile, the exhibition has arranged for two free talks (to be conducted in Putonghua), with the title of “Chinese Tea and Health” and “Innovation Through the Past; Accomplishment of Fruitful Achievements”, to be held at 3pm on August 6 and August 13 respectively.
      
     The exhibition is jointly presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, jointly organised by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and jointly curated by the Zhejiang Provincial Center of Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection and the ICH Office. Admission to the exhibition and programmes is free. For details, please visit the ICH Office’s website at www.icho.hk/en/web/icho/genesis_and_spirit_2023.html or call 2851 6131 for enquiries.

read more