The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 is 100.7 (same as yesterday's index).

     As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

     A spokesman for the LD said today (August 3) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in times of Typhoons and Rainstorms" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

     Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

     In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

     The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

     Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

     The operating hours of self-paid designated quarantine hotel (DQH) taxis will be advanced to start from 7am daily to 2am the next day from tomorrow (August 4), a Government spokesman said today (August 3).

     With an increasing number of people arriving at Hong Kong from overseas, the demand for point-to-point transport services from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to DQHs keeps rising. In view of the situation, the Government has introduced self-paid DQH taxi services on a trial basis from July 25.

     The spokesman said, "The operation has been generally smooth since the service commencement. There are currently 100 taxis providing services on a trial basis. In view of the increasing number of inbound persons, the Government has decided to advance the start of operating hours from 8am to 7am daily to cope with the demand."

     Inbound persons can choose to go to DQHs by free designated transport service, or self-paid taxi or limousine service according to their personal needs. The Government will continue to monitor the operation of the point-to-point transport services from HKIA to DQHs and make adjustments in a timely manner, having regard to the actual situation and demand.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     Members of the public are advised to report any street flooding that comes to their notice to the Drainage Services Department by calling the 24-hour drainage hotline on 2300 1110.

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 3) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in South Hams District of Devon County and Central Bedfordshire of Bedfordshire County in the United Kingdom (UK), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas 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 880 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 160 000 poultry eggs from the UK in the first six months of this year.

     "The CFS has contacted the British authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.