Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports departed for Dongyang to continue the duty visit today (August 2).

     The delegation departed from Hangzhou to Dongyang in the morning and visited China Woodcarvings Museum upon arrival. Members learned that it is the first museum in the Mainland to comprehensively showcase the history and culture of woodcarving, with functions of exhibition, research, collection and cultural exchange.

     In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Dongyang Luzhai Scenic Area, which is a famous ancient architectural complex in the Jiangnan region. The Lu family settled there since the Song Dynasty, living together for generations, forming an intact architectural complex in Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Luzhai was listed as the national key protected cultural relic unit in 1988.

     The delegation visited Hengdian World Studios to learn about the latest development of the local cultural industry. Hengdian World Studios are one of the world’s largest film and television bases, as well as a national 5A tourist attraction and the largest film and TV, culture and tourism theme park cluster in the Mainland. Members toured the Hengdian Film and Culture Industrial Exhibition Centre to understand its development and operation strategies, which emphasize "film and TV as its representation, tourism as its connotation, and culture as its soul". The delegation also met and exchange views with the crew of Mainland TV drama "The Story of Hua Zhi", directed by Hong Kong director Mr Chu Yui-bin.

     In the evening, the delegation met with the representatives of the local governments of Jinhua and Dongyang to exchange views on facilitating the integrated development of the cultural and tourism industries. Members then visited the Dream Bund in Hengdian World Studios to learn about the local night life culture and tourism consumption patterns.

     The delegation will continue its duty visit in Dongyang tomorrow (August 3) before departing for Hong Kong in the afternoon.

      

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 1) arrested a female director of a chain education centre suspected of engaging in wrongly accepting payment when selling tutorial programmes, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs had earlier received numerous complaints alleging that a chain education centre suddenly announced business closures of five branches in Siu Sai Wan, Chai Wan, Shau Kei Wan, Tai Koo and Ho Man Tin on July 29, failing to provide prepaid tutorial programmes purchased by and arrange refunds to customers.

     Customs officers then swiftly conducted an investigation and found that the some branches of the education group were in rent arrears. However, they still accepted payments for prepaid programmes even anticipating that they would be unable to continue operating. A 50-year-old female director of the education centre was subsequently arrested yesterday.

     An investigation is ongoing and the arrested woman is being detained.

     Customs has been paying close attention to, and has arranged a taskforce to follow up on, the incident. As of noon today, Customs has received a total of 310 complaints regarding the education centre, involving tutorial programme fees amounting to about $2.51 million. Customs again called on members of the public affected by the incident to provide information.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Traders should not accept advance payments from consumers if they are uncertain whether the pertinent services can be delivered to consumers within a specific or reasonable time. Consumers are also reminded to procure services at reputable shops and think prudently before making decisions regarding consumption by prepayment. After purchasing services, consumers should keep the transaction receipts and related records, which can become basic information in case a complaint is lodged in the future.

     Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence if at the time of acceptance of payment, the trader intends not to supply the product or intends to supply a materially different product, or there are no reasonable grounds for believing that the trader will be able to supply the product within a specified or reasonable period. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (August 2) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, 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 case involves a 31-year-old male patient with underlying illness. He had developed lymphadenopathy, localised skin ulcer and swelling, and rash since July 27. He visited the Yau Ma Tei Male Social Hygiene Clinic of the DH on July 31. The CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch confirmed that his samples tested positive for the virus yesterday (August 1). Arrangements were made for him to be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital and he is now in stable condition.

     An initial investigation revealed that he had high-risk exposure in Hong Kong during the incubation period. No epidemiological linkages between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier have been found so far. The CHP's epidemiological investigations of the case are ongoing, including contact tracing and infection source investigation. The CHP will report the case 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.

     The Civil Service College (CSC) of the Civil Service Bureau has launched the "Holistic View of National Security" seminar series, providing a comprehensive and multi-perspective analysis of the development of the holistic view of national security, its main content, the challenges of safeguarding national security, and its significance to the country's development. The first seminar of the series, on the topic of "The Overview of the Development of Holistic View of National Security", was delivered by the Director of the Office of the Center for a Holistic Approach to National Security and Research Professor of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, Mr Chen Xiangyang, at the Central Government Offices today (August 2).
 
     Addressing the seminar, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said that the civil service is an integral part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) governance system, and civil servants must deepen their understanding of the necessity and importance of safeguarding national security in the complex international environment. They should be proactive in discharging their duties of safeguarding national security and act in full accord with the HKSAR Government in promoting the work of safeguarding national security.
 
     The seminar series consists of seven talks, covering topics such as the relationship between national security and the rise and fall of great nations; global economic change; and the opportunities and challenges of technological development for safeguarding national security. The seminars are delivered by experts from the Center for a Holistic Approach to National Security and the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.
 
     Around 200 officers, including middle and senior-level civil servants and politically appointed officials, attended the seminar today.