The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 4) that in view of notifications from the General Veterinary Inspectorate of Poland and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Korea about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in KoÅ›ciaÅ„ski District of Wielkopolskie Region in Poland, and Gimje-city of Jeollabuk-do Province and Yesan-gun of Chungcheongnam-do Province in Korea, 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 4 460 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 30.2 million poultry eggs from Poland, and about 20 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 840 000 poultry eggs from Korea last year.

     "The CFS has contacted the Polish and Korean authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health 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.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (February 4) released the latest grading of water quality for four gazetted beaches that are open all year round for swimming (see Note).       
   
     Four beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:           

 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
 
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
 
Note: In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that lifeguard services at these beaches are temporarily suspended.

     â€‹To align with the Government's latest anti-epidemic measures, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (February 4) that counter services at the 18 Districts Leisure Services Offices (DLSOs), including the enrolment arrangements of recreation and sports programmes and receiving application forms for the One-off Grant to Registered Sports Coaches under the Anti-epidemic Fund, will be suspended starting from today until further notice.

     During the suspension period, enrolment of programmes will continue via Leisure Link e-Services or by post.

     Hirers/organisations/applicants may submit booking applications for land-based recreation and sports facilities, refund applications in relation to the closure of leisure facilities or applications for the One-off Grant to Registered Sports Coaches by post or make use of drop-in boxes located at the 18 DLSOs.

     The Rating and Valuation Department today (February 4) said that a staff member preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday (February 3).
 
     The staff member is a technical grade staff member of the Computer Division working on 17th floor of Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon. She had no contact with the public in her daily work. She last worked in the office on January 31 and had been wearing a face mask at work and following relevant disease prevention measures.
 
     The department already conducted thorough cleaning and sterilisation at its premises in Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices yesterday, and has arranged for staff of that floor to undergo COVID-19 testing and work from home until a negative test result is available.
 
     During the COVID-19 epidemic, the department has been strictly implementing disease prevention measures. The department will continue to maintain close liaison with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), actively co-operate with the CHP's quarantine arrangements and remind its staff to pay attention to personal hygiene and stay vigilant.

     To align with the special work arrangements announced by the Government, the Legal Aid Department (LAD) today (February 4) announced that the LAD offices will only provide emergency services and essential public services (civil and criminal legal aid application and litigation services) from February 7 (Monday) until further notice.
  
     The following LAD offices will provide emergency services and essential public services from 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays):
 

• Information and Application Services Unit (located on 25/F, Queensway Government Offices (QGO))
• Information and Application Services Unit (located on G/F, Mongkok Government Offices)
• Crime Section (located on 25/F, QGO)
• Civil Litigation Section 1 (located on 26/F, QGO)
• Civil Litigation Section 2 (located on 9/F, QGO)
• Costing Unit and Enforcement Unit (both located on 27/F, QGO)
• Shroff Office (located on 27/F, QGO)
• Shroff Office (located on 3/F, Mongkok Government Offices)

     For enquiries, please contact the following offices during the above office hours:
 

• Information and Application Services Unit: 2537 7717 (for civil legal aid services)
• Crime Section: 2867 3139
• Civil Litigation Section 1: 2867 3123
• Civil Litigation Section 2: 2867 4816
• Costing Unit and Enforcement Unit: 2867 3152

     Members of the public may also contact the LAD for other enquiries through its 24-hour hotline (2537 7677), email (ladinfo@lad.gov.hk) or fax (2537 5948).