Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 25) closely monitoring an additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 10. The CHP again urged the public to pay special attention to safety and take due consideration of the health risks when visiting other places.

     According to the WHO, the additional case involves a male patient aged 28 with good past health. The patient was admitted to hospital on June 8, and his nasopharyngeal swab tested positive for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) on June 23. He is in critical condition.

     According to the latest information, 2 605 MERS cases have been reported to the WHO (with 936 deaths).

     “We will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “As countries in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, continue to report MERS cases from time to time, travellers should refrain from going to farms, barns or markets with camels and avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry. Most of the cases reported in the Middle East had a history of exposure to camels, consumption of camel milk or contact with other MERS patients,” the spokesman said.

     “Scientific evidence shows that camels are reservoirs for MERS-CoV. Camels infected with MERS-CoV may not show any signs of infection. Infected animals may shed MERS-CoV through nasal and eye discharge and faeces, and potentially in their milk and urine. The virus may also be found in the raw organs and meat of infected animals. Therefore, the best protection is to practise good hygiene and avoid direct contact with all of these,” the spokesman added.

     From time to time, suspected MERS cases reported to the CHP for investigation involve patients with a history of contact with camels in the Middle East. The CHP strongly advises travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS-CoV.

     â€‹Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS page of the CHP and its Travel Health Service to learn more about MERS statistics in affected areas. The public should also refer to the CHP’s Facebook page and YouTube channel and the WHO’s latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP’s health advice on MERS. read more

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (July 25) announced an adjustment to the auto-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations from August 1 to August 31, 2023, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts of the dedicated LPG filling stations.
 
     A department spokesman said that the adjustment on August 1, 2023, would reflect the movement of the LPG international price in July 2023. The adjusted auto-LPG ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations would range from $2.65 to $3.52 per litre, representing a decrease of $0.26 to $0.27 per litre.
 
     The spokesman said that the auto-LPG ceiling prices were adjusted according to a specified pricing formula. The formula comprises two elements – the LPG international price and the LPG operating price. The LPG international price refers to the LPG international price of the preceding month. The LPG operating price is adjusted on February 1 and June 1 annually according to the average movement of the Composite Consumer Price Index and the Nominal Wage Index.
 
     The auto-LPG ceiling prices for respective dedicated LPG filling stations in August 2023 are as follows:
 

Location of Dedicated LPG Filling Station	Auto-LPG Ceiling Price in August 2023 (HK$/litre)	Auto-LPG Ceiling Price in July 2023 (HK$/litre)
Kwai On Road, Kwai Chung	2.65	2.91
Sham Mong Road, Mei Foo	2.71	2.97
Wai Lok Street, Kwun Tong	2.76	3.03
Cheung Yip Street, Kowloon Bay	2.80	3.07
Ngo Cheung Road, West Kowloon	2.81	3.08
Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po	2.86	3.13
Tak Yip Street, Yuen Long	2.97	3.23
Hang Yiu Street, Ma On Shan	2.99	3.25
Marsh Road, Wan Chai	3.00	3.26
Fung Mat Road, Sheung Wan	3.02	3.29
Yip Wong Road, Tuen Mun	3.11	3.38
Fung Yip Street, Chai Wan	3.52	3.78

 
    The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price for each dedicated LPG filling station had been uploaded to the EMSD website (www.emsd.gov.hk) and posted at dedicated LPG filling stations to enable the trades to monitor the price adjustment.
 
     Details of the pricing adjustment mechanism for dedicated LPG filling stations can also be viewed under the “What’s New” section of the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk/en/what_s_new/current/index.html.

     The dedicated LPG filling stations at Tak Yip Street in Yuen Long and Hang Yiu Street in Ma On Shan are closed for renovation. For details, please refer to the announcement on the EMSD website. read more

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 (July 25) that the… read more

     The Department of Justice today (July 25) appealed to members of the public to stay alert to a fraudulent email claimed to have been sent by "Cheung Kwok-kwan" under a forged email account "cheung.kwok@hkland.com&quot… read more

     â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.

     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.

     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.

     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work” to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees’ risk of heat stroke.

     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.

     The LD issued the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work”, detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers’ and employees’ reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department’s thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm. read more