The Transport Department today (December 1) reminded members of the public that the 41st round of computer ballot registration for submitting applications for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles (the scheme) will be open from 10am tomorrow (December 2) to 11.59pm on December 5, and the ballot result will be announced on December 6.
      
     Eligible applicants for the scheme can register for computer balloting through the designated website (www.hzmbqfs.gov.hk). Successful balloting applicants are required to submit applications for the scheme within the designated date and time randomly allocated by the computer system.
 

     Starting from today (December 1), the Social Welfare Department (SWD) has further expanded the day respite service network for elderly persons to relieve the pressure on their carers.
 
     With immediate effect, more than 110 recognised service providers under the Community Care Service Voucher Scheme for the Elderly will also provide day respite services for needy elderly persons. 
 
       The number of service points for day respite services for the elderly will hence significantly increase from about 190 to more than 300 across the territory to provide comprehensive care and support for elderly persons, their family members and/or carers. Members of the public can obtain information on day respite services for elderly persons in different districts via the Vacancy Enquiry System for Respite Services/Emergency Placement (www.ves.swd.gov.hk).
 
     The SWD encourages needy elderly persons and their carers to:

1. call the Designated Hotline for Carer Support 182 183, where social workers will assist in arranging and matching respite services;
2. apply directly through units providing day respite services for the elderly; or
3. request referrals from Integrated Family Service Centres/Integrated Services Centres, Medical Social Services Units, or elderly service units (e.g. District Elderly Community Centres and Neighbourhood Elderly Centres).

 
     Details are available on the SWD website: www.swd.gov.hk/en/pubsvc/elderly/cat_careersupp/drrr/dayrespite/.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Yellow fire danger warning

     The fire danger situation today (December 1) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.

     â€‹A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (December 1) that following the discovery of a stranded whale in Tai O waters, veterinarians from the Ocean Park Hong Kong (OPHK) conducted an initial assessment and found that the whale was injured. During sedation administered for further diagnosis, the veterinarians found the whale in extremely weak condition. The whale subsequently died during the diagnostic procedures at around midnight on December 1.

     The AFCD staff and the OPHK veterinarians will conduct a necropsy on the whale carcass to investigate the cause of death.

     â€‹The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) received a report from the Police this afternoon (November 30) regarding a live cetacean stranding in Yi O waters on Lantau Island. By nightfall, the AFCD and the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong (OPCFHK) personnel had located a whale stranded in Tai O waters. According to the initial assessment, the whale was about five to six metres in length and a wound was found on its body.

     The AFCD immediately activated the Response Plan to the Sighting of non-resident Cetaceans in Hong Kong Waters and has conducted inspections of the waters in the vicinity together with relevant departments and the OPCFHK personnel. The AFCD is currently working with experts from the OPCFHK to assess the whale's physical condition and take appropriate rescue measures.

     The AFCD urges the public and vessels to stay away from the whale to avoid causing any danger to the whale.