The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 24) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "Children, the elderly, the obese and those with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     
     â€‹The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

    If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation to arrive at Singapore this afternoon (July 23) and begin the visit programme in three countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
      
     Upon arrival in Singapore, Mr Lee met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Singapore, Ms Sun Haiyan. Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Sun and the Embassy for the continuous support to the HKSAR Government and the thoughtful arrangements for this visit. He also thanked the Embassy for its care for Hong Kong people in Singapore. The HKSAR Government will continue to promote business and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Singapore, and tell Hong Kong's good stories in Singapore and other ASEAN countries.
      
     Noting that Hong Kong and Singapore have always maintained close bilateral trade relations, Mr Lee said that Singapore is the fourth largest trading partner of Hong Kong, and it is also the largest trading partner of Hong Kong among the 10 ASEAN countries. He expressed his hope to strengthen the high-level connection with the Singapore Government through this visit.
      
     Mr Lee will continue his visit in Singapore tomorrow (July 24) to meet with government leaders and visit an enterprise. He will also attend a business dinner jointly organised by the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to exchange views with local business leaders.

    

     The Information Services Department today (July 23) launched an "Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia, as part of a promotional campaign in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Themed "Hong Kong – Where the World Looks Ahead", the exhibition showcases Hong Kong's unique strengths, advantages and opportunities, inviting business and leisure travellers from the ASEAN community to visit Hong Kong.

     With art technology, the "Immersive Hong Kong" exhibition allows visitors to virtually immerse themselves in different visuals representing the city with a creative twist. The four thematic zones, namely "Financial Bridgehead", "I&T Brain Bank", "Blossoming Creativity" and "Diversity and Greenery" feature multiple interactive art projections and naked eye 3D displays that showcase the multi-faceted appeal of Hong Kong.
 
     Visitors can also enjoy the vibrant and colourful skyline of Hong Kong, illustrated by Hong Kong artist Messy Desk (Jane Lee), at a photo corner and the LED display at the exhibition venue. Promotional videos on Hong Kong and digital panels with information and experience sharing by ASEAN companies and talent based in Hong Kong are also on display, helping visitors to learn what makes the city one of the most desirable places to visit, live, work and invest.
 
     To encourage more people to visit Hong Kong, an interactive game, "Snap a cool shot @Immersive Hong Kong", is part of the exhibition. The top 500 winners will each receive an economy class round-trip air ticket from Jakarta to Hong Kong (terms and conditions apply). The tickets are sponsored by Hong Kong International Airport's "World of Winners" Tickets Giveaway Campaign.
 
     The Indonesian leg of the "Immersive Hong Kong" exhibition will run at Gandaria City Mall, a major shopping centre in Jakarta, until July 29, 2023. Admission is free, and souvenirs will be given out during the event period. More information on the exhibition is available from the dedicated page on Brand Hong Kong's website (www.brandhk.gov.hk/hkpromotion-asean2023).

                        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Influenza A in a male ward of Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, the spokesperson for Kwai Chung Hospital made the following update today (July 23):
      
     Five more patients (aged 27 to 79) in the same ward presented with symptom of fever. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and the test results were positive to Influenza A. The patients concerned are being treated under isolation and are in stable condition.
      
     Admission and visiting to the ward concerned have been suspended. Infection control measures have already been enhanced according to established guidelines. The hospital will continue to closely monitor the conditions of the patients in the ward concerned.
      
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 22) seized about 13 kilograms of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $10 million at the Hong Kong International Airport.
           
     A 36-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found there were 11 pieces of nylon mats inside his checked-in suitcase and the interlining of each piece of nylon mat concealed suspected heroin, weighing about 13kg in total. The man was subsequently arrested.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Following the resumption of normal travel and exchanges with the Mainland and other parts of the world, the number of visitors to Hong Kong has also been increasing steadily. Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities 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/).