The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 20) 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.

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 Hong Kong Housing Authority:

     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced today (July 20) that the Sale of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Flats 2023 (HOS 2023) and the White Form Secondary Market Scheme (WSM) 2023 (WSM 2023) will open for applications for two weeks, starting from 8am on July 31 until 7pm on August 14. The application fee will be $270 for the HOS 2023 only, $230 for the WSM 2023 only and $500 for both.

    The following categories of flats will be put up for sale under the HOS 2023:

(1) New HOS Flats

     A total of 9 154 HOS flats in six new developments, namely Kai Yuet Court in Kai Tak, On Ying Court, On Lai Court and On Wah Court in Kwun Tong, Siu Tsui Court in Tuen Mun and Long Tin Court in Yuen Long. Details in the Annex. 

(2) Rescinded HOS Flats for resale

     Around 50 rescinded flats from Kam Chun Court (in Ma On Shan) and Kai Cheung Court (in Diamond Hill) sold under the HOS 2020; Yu Nga Court (in Tung Chung) and Yu Tak Court (in Sha Tin) sold under the HOS 2022 as well as any additional rescinded flats from the above four HOS developments as identified up to about two months before commencement of flat selections.

(3) Recovered Tenants Purchase Scheme (TPS) Flats (for Green Form (GF) applicants only)

     At the meeting on June 16, 2023, the Subsidised Housing Committee (SHC) of the HA endorsed regularising the sale of recovered TPS flats, and a new batch of recovered TPS flats will be put up for sale under the HOS 2023. The final number and detailed flat list is to be drawn up around three months before the flat selections of the HOS 2023. 

     When it comes to an eligible applicant's turn for a flat selection under the HOS 2023, he/she may select an HOS flat or a recovered TPS flat (for GF applicants only) subject to the availability of flats.

     The average selling prices of the six new HOS developments and the rescinded flats for resale will be at a 38 per cent discount from the assessed market value, i.e. for sale at 62 per cent of assessed market values. The existing pricing mechanism for sitting tenants purchasing their TPS flats (i.e. the Adjusted Replacement Cost approach) will be adopted for sale of recovered TPS flats to GF applicants. As at May 2023, the list prices of the unsold TPS flats in the 39 estates range from about $140,000 to $1,230,000, and the discounts range from 82 per cent to 86 per cent of assessed market values. The final price range will depend on the recovered TPS flats that will be put up for sale under this sale exercise. 

     "Starting from the application commencement date of the HOS 2023, we will tighten the eligibility criteria for GF applicants for purchase of Subsidised Sale Flats (SSFs). Public Rental Housing tenants and Rental Estate tenants of the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) who apply to purchase SSFs as GF applicants should not have owned domestic properties in Hong Kong during the period from 24 months preceding the closing date for submitting the application up to the time of purchase. In addition, Fixed-Term licensees of the HA will no longer be eligible for purchasing SSFs as GF applicants. If the relevant Fixed-Term licensees fulfil the relevant eligibility, they can still apply to purchase SSFs as White Form applicants," a spokesman for the HA said. 

     As for the WSM 2023, the SHC today (July 20) approved the relevant arrangements. Taking into account the demand for WSM quotas, the utilisation rate and the need to avoid creating unnecessary upward pressure on the sale prices of HOS flats in the secondary market, the SHC decided to maintain the quota for the WSM 2023 at 4 500, with the allocation ratio for family and one-person applicants to be kept at 9:1. The eligibility criteria for White Form applicants of the HOS 2023, including the income and asset limits as well as restrictions on domestic property ownership, etc will continue to be applicable to the WSM 2023.

     The WSM 2023 and the HOS 2023 will be launched together. One application form will continue to be used to cover the two schemes. Applicants may choose to apply for the HOS or the WSM only, or both. Separate balloting will be conducted to determine the priority for flat selection for the HOS 2023 and quota allocation under the WSM 2023.

     "We will continue to provide online applications (including e-applications, e-payments and e-notifications), in addition to the paper submission channels (paper form, either in person or by post) for the HOS 2023 and the WSM 2023. Applicants are recommended to submit online applications," the spokesman said.

     Application forms and application guides for the HOS 2023 and the WSM 2023, sales booklets of new HOS developments, together with sales leaflets for rescinded HOS flats and recovered TPS flats will be available on the designated website of the HA for the HOS 2023 and the WSM 2023, while printed copies can be obtained during opening hours from the Housing Authority Customer Service Centre (HACSC) in Lok Fu, the office of the HA's Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme Sales Unit, estate offices and District Tenancy Management Offices of the HA, rental estate offices of the HKHS and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department starting from July 24. Members of the public are reminded to check the opening hours before visiting.

     Doll houses of typical flats and project models on the new HOS developments, virtual videos of samples of HOS flats, photos and virtual reality tours of the interior of samples of recovered TPS flats, exhibition panels and other information on HOS developments and TPS estates will be available for public viewing at the HACSC in Lok Fu and on the HA/Housing Department's (HD) designated websites starting from July 24 and up to the end of the application period.  

     "Sales brochures (and sales pamphlets for recovered TPS flats) covering greater details and price lists will be made available for public collection and viewing on the HA/HD's designated websites starting seven days before commencement of the flat selection period. During the flat selection period, photos and video clips of the interiors of all recovered TPS flats for sale will be provided at the HACSC in Lok Fu and on the HA/HD's designated websites. We will make arrangements with relevant stakeholders to facilitate the viewing of the recovered TPS flats put up for sale under the HOS 2023 as far as practicable," the spokesman said. 

     Each person can only be listed in one application form for the same scheme (whether for paper-based or online applications), otherwise the applications will be regarded as duplicates. Any case of duplicate applications will render all applications null and void, and the application fee paid is non-refundable and non-transferrable under all circumstances. Details are set out in the application guides. 

     Balloting exercises are expected to be held in the fourth quarter this year for the HOS 2023 and the WSM 2023 separately. Flat selections for the HOS 2023 and the issuance of approval letters to successful applicants under the WSM 2023 are expected to start from the first quarter 2024.

     "Members of the public are encouraged to browse the websites of the HOS 2023 (www.housingauthority.gov.hk/hos/2023) and the WSM 2023 (www.housingauthority.gov.hk/wsm/2023), and are reminded to read carefully the application guide for the respective schemes before submission of applications. They may call the 24-hour HA Sales and WSM Hotline at 2712 8000 on matters concerning applications for the HOS 2023 and the WSM 2023. Applications submitted before or after the application period will not be accepted," the spokesman said. 

                        

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (July 20) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Province of Pavia of Lombardy Region in Italy, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 7 000 poultry eggs from Italy in the first three months of this year.

     â€‹"The CFS has contacted the Italian authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

     The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) today (July 20) approved the third project under the Subsidy Scheme for Using Hotels and Guesthouses as Youth Hostels to the Lady Lau Memorial Charitable Foundation Limited.
      
     To help further meet the housing needs of young people and assist with their development, the Chief Executive announced in the 2022 Policy Address that the Government would explore ways to increase the supply of youth hostels, including subsidising non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to rent suitable hotels and guesthouses for use as youth hostels, with the target of providing about 3 000 additional hostel places within five years. To this end, the HYAB launched the Subsidy Scheme in early January 2023 to subsidise NGOs to rent suitable hotels and guesthouses for use as youth hostels. The HYAB has approved the first two projects under the Subsidy Scheme in March and April 2023 respectively.
      
     The youth hostel under the third project approved under the Subsidy Scheme encompasses an entire building on 86 and 88 Apliu Street, Sham Shui Po, with a total of 42 rooms providing up to 84 hostel places. In collaboration with the Chinese Estates Holdings Limited, the Lady Lau Memorial Charitable Foundation Limited will launch the project and operate the youth hostel under the name of Joseph's House. One of the attributes of the project is that workshops and events on various themes, such as self-development, community services, and cultural exchange, will be organised for the youth tenants. These opportunities will not only facilitate life planning of youth tenants, broaden their horizons and enhance their personal growth, but also deepen their understanding of the country and the world as a whole. Details about the project and the means of application will be announced on the website of Joseph's House (www.josephshouse.hk).
      
     A spokesperson of the HYAB said, "Joseph's House is the first project under the Subsidy Scheme located in Kowloon. With its central location in Kowloon, it is easily accessible by different means of transport and in close proximity to community facilities and the 'hipster hub' in the district, which would well cater for the various daily needs of the youth tenants. With the approval of the third project under the Subsidy Scheme, it highlights the support towards the Scheme from different sectors of the community and their eagerness to join hands with the Government to address the housing needs of young people together. The HYAB will continue to collaborate with NGOs and relevant stakeholders who share our vision to implement the next project under the Subsidy Scheme as soon as possible."
      
     Details about the Subsidy Scheme, including the guidelines to application and the application forms, have been uploaded onto the HYAB's website (www.hyab.gov.hk/en/policy_responsibilities/Social_Harmony_and_Civic_Education/youth_hostel_scheme.htm). Relevant organisations can submit their applications to the HYAB by post, email or other means.