The Task Force on Supplies from the Mainland led by the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) has been working closely with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government to explore various means to stabilise the supply of goods from the Mainland to Hong Kong.
 
     A spokesperson for the TLB said that the "Sea Express" water transportation service from the Mainland to Hong Kong has been fully launched and its capacity is rising to increase the supplies of fresh food, other daily necessities and manufacturing materials. The current supply of fresh food from the Mainland is stable.
 
     The spokesperson said today (August 10) that Shenzhen operated 46 cargo vessel trips and transported around 5 520 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cross-boundary supplies by water yesterday (August 9), equivalent to about 29 640 tonnes of goods, all of which were non-fresh food, according to information from the Mainland authorities.
 
     Since the launch of services from the three ports in Shenzhen since February 18 to yesterday, a total of around 794 400 TEUs of cross-boundary supplies have been transported, equivalent to about 3 843 060 tonnes of goods, of which around 2 230 TEUs (about 18 920 tonnes) were fresh food and around 792 170 TEUs (about 3 824 140 tonnes) were non-fresh food.
 
     Meanwhile, to avoid a spillover of the epidemic, the Transport Department (TD) arranges for dedicated staff to conduct rapid nucleic acid tests, using nasopharyngeal swabs for specimen collection, for cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers at various land boundary control points. Only drivers with a negative result are allowed to enter the Mainland. A total of 3 118 rapid nucleic acid tests were conducted yesterday, among which six cases that tested indeterminate were found. The TD has passed the cases to the Department of Health for follow-up.
 
     The TLB will closely monitor the situation and co-operate with the Mainland authorities to facilitate and implement various measures to ensure both smooth cross-boundary land transport and a stable goods supply to Hong Kong, while reducing the risk of epidemic transmission in both the Mainland and Hong Kong.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (August 10) investigating a local case of measles infection and reminded the public that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles.

     The case involves a 6-year-old girl who has developed fever and sore throat since August 2 and 3, and developed rash and conjunctivitis on August 5 and 6. She was taken to a private paediatrician on August 3 and to Hong Kong Baptist Hospital (HKBH) on August 5 and 6 for medical attention. She was admitted to HKBH for treatment on August 7. She is in a stable condition and was discharged on August 8.

     Her blood sample tested positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to the measles virus upon laboratory testing. The patient has received measles vaccinations. She had no travel history during the incubation period and the communicable period.

     According to information provided by family members of the patient, she did not have contact with measles patients during the incubation period. Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far and have been put under medical surveillance.

     Upon notification of the case, the CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. Investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the DH said, "Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It can be transmitted by airborne droplets or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons, and, less commonly, by articles soiled with nose and throat secretions. A patient can pass the disease to other persons from four days before to four days after the appearance of a skin rash."

     The spokesman advised, "The incubation period (the period from infection to appearance of illness) of measles ranges from seven days to 21 days. Symptoms of measles include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If symptoms arise, members of the public should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should also avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below 1. Those suspected to have been infected are advised to seek medical attention as early as possible and reveal relevant contact history of measles to healthcare professionals."  

     The spokesman reminded, "Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. Those who have not received two doses of measles-containing vaccines, with unknown vaccination history or with unknown immunity against measles are urged to consult their doctor for advice on vaccination." 

     Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
 

• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
• Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
• Clean used toys and furniture properly; and
• Persons with measles should be kept out of school till four days from the appearance of a rash to prevent the spread of the infection to non-immune persons in school.

     For more information on measles, the public may call the 24-hour health education hotline 2833 0111 or visit the CHP's measles thematic page. For news of measles outbreaks outside Hong Kong, please visit the website of the DH's Travel Health Service.

     To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Hong Kong Science Museum specially presented a large-scale dinosaur exhibition, "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Big Eight – Dinosaur Revelation". To complement the exhibition, the Hong Kong Science Museum and MTR Corporation jointly organised the "MTR x Dinosaur Adventure Art Competition 2022" to encourage primary and secondary school students to unleash their creativity and imaginations by creating unique artworks inspired through integrating the characteristics of dinosaurs and trains.

     The competition was comprised of two categories. The Painting Category was for students of junior primary, senior primary, junior secondary and senior secondary levels, while the Digital Graphics Category invited students of junior and senior secondary levels to participate. All entrants were required to choose either "MTR Tour with Dino Friends" or "Dinosaurs VS MTR" as the design topic. The competition received an encouraging response of nearly 2 000 qualified entries. The judging panel was comprised of the General Manager – Corporate Relations of the MTR Corporation, Mr Lam Chan; the Museum Expert Advisor (Art) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), Dr Ma Kwai-shun; the Museum Expert Advisor (Science), Dr Rebecca Lee; the Managing Director of the First Initiative Foundation (FIF), Ms Amanda Cheung; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Science Museum, Ms Paulina Chan. They selected a total of 48 winning entries based on the criteria of artwork composition, creativity, theme relevancy and drawing techniques.

     The winning entries of the competition will be displayed at the Ground Floor Exhibition Hall of the Hong Kong Science Museum from August 12 (Friday) to October 26 (Wednesday). The entries will also be displayed at some MTR stations. For the winner list and exhibition details, please visit hk.science.museum/en_US/web/scm/event/dinoart2022.html.

     "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Big Eight – Dinosaur Revelation" runs until November 16 at the Hong Kong Science Museum located at 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon. With free admission, the public can visit eight of the world's most iconic creatures from the age of dinosaurs, and see rare fossil bones and some of the most complete original dinosaur skeletons. All visitors to the exhibition, including Museum Pass holders and children under the age of 4, are required to make an advance booking through the e-booking system (hk-science-museum.partner.klook.com/zh-HK/activity/73613-hongkong-science-museum-special-exhibition). The e-booking system will be updated at 10am every Monday, and bookings can be made for the upcoming week (excluding the regular closing day on Thursday) upon the system's update. The updates will be made on a weekly basis. Visitors who make a booking should arrive within the admission time and present the QR code on the confirmation email for free admission to "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Big Eight – Dinosaur Revelation" and other permanent exhibitions of the museum. Members of the public are advised to plan their visits beforehand. 

     The exhibition is jointly presented by the LCSD and the FIF, and jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum and the FIF. The exhibition is exclusively sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), and supported by the MTR Corporation. For more details of the exhibition and activities, please visit big8dinosaurs.hk or call 2732 3232 for enquiries.

     The exhibition is one of the many initiatives supported by the HKJC's approved donation of $630 million to the Government to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, demonstrating that the HKJC is resolute in pursuing its purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society, all in support of creating a stronger community together.

     The exhibition production team is a respected group of internationally acclaimed professionals, comprising members from Hong Kong, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The exhibition is supported by the FIF, and the foundation's move demonstrates its dedication to contributing to the community and bridging the gap between Hong Kong and the world.

     In order to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, visitors are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code with their mobile phones/other mobile devices before being allowed to enter the museum for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, all persons entering indoor venues under the management of the LCSD must comply with the relevant requirement of the Vaccine Pass. According to the latest requirement on Vaccine Pass announced by the Government, all persons with their Vaccine Pass QR codes displayed in red or amber are not allowed to enter museums under the management of the LCSD.

            

     â€‹The Labour Department (LD) today (August 10) reminded operators of employment agencies (EAs) to conduct their business in compliance with the law and the requirements of the Code of Practice for EAs (the Code) at all times.

     The LD has revoked the EA licence of Ka Wo Consultants Limited located in Causeway Bay. The EA failed to meet the requirement set out in the Code to draw up service agreements with employers. The licensee concerned had appealed to the Administrative Appeals Board but the appeal was dismissed.

     Under section 53(1)(c)(iva) of the Employment Ordinance (EO), the Commissioner for Labour (the Commissioner) may revoke the licence of an EA if he is satisfied that the licensee concerned has not complied with the Code.

     "The Code sets out the salient legal requirements that EA operators must observe in operating their business, as well as the standards which the Commissioner expects from EAs. The Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2018, which came into effect on February 9, 2018, stipulates that the Commissioner may refuse to issue or renew a licence, or may revoke a licence, if he is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee of an EA, or a related person of or an individual employed by the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee has contravened any provision of Part XII or any regulation made under section 62 of the EO, such as overcharging job seekers or operating an EA without a licence, or has not complied with the Code issued under section 62A(1) of the EO," the spokesman said.

     The LD has revoked the licences of a total of 12 EAs since 2020, including the above case.

     For enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints about alleged malpractices, please call the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD at 2115 3667, or visit its office at Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.

     The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) today (August 10) said that a secretary has tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antigen test.
 
     The secretary is responsible for providing secretarial support to the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui. She does not need to have contact with the public in performing her duties and she wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. She has no recent travel history. She last went to work on August 9.
 
     Mr Hui has been taking COVID-19 rapid tests every day and the results are all negative.
 
     The FSTB will conduct thorough cleaning and disinfection at the relevant offices and arrange for relevant staff members to undergo COVID-19 tests in accordance with the advice from the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health.