The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 21) 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€‹The Town Planning Board announced today (January 21) that the Chief Executive in Council has referred the approved So Kwun Wat Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) to the Board for amendment to reflect the latest land use proposals.

     The OZP incorporating the respective amendments will be exhibited for public inspection under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance.

     The So Kwun Wat OZP was last approved by the Chief Executive in Council in December 2015.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, January 21, 2022 is 95.1 (same as yesterday's index).

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (January 21) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Metropolitan City of Florence in Tuscany 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 770 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 77 000 poultry eggs from Italy in the first nine months of last year.

     "The CFS has contacted the Italian authority over the issue 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.

     Fifty-seven convictions were recorded in December 2021 for breaches of legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department.
 
     Eight of the convictions were under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, one was under the Noise Control Ordinance, 26 were under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation, 19 were under the Waste Disposal Ordinance and three were under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.
 
     A company was fined $17,000, which was the heaviest fine in December, for discharging waste or polluting matter into a water control zone.