The Outreach Music Interest Courses organised by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) are now open for applications. Members of the public are welcome to apply for over 80 courses, ranging from basic Chinese and Western musical instrument classes to music workshops, which will be held from March to August. 

     The Outreach Music Interest Courses will launch two new courses. One new course, the "Music Creation Series: Workshop on Composition and Orchestration for Symphonic Band (Advanced)", will cover topics on selecting suitable music pieces to arrange for symphonic bands, orchestration, arrangement and composition of wind ensemble music, and the role and application of percussion. The course welcomes school music teachers, trainee teachers, symphonic band directors, composers and music arrangers of wind music, and music students of tertiary institutes to apply. The other new adult course is an elementary course on folk guitar playing. The fees of the new courses are $480 and $670 respectively.

     In addition, the Music Office will offer the "'Soundtrap' Online Music Making Workshop", introducing the use of a free music app in music improvisation and creation, and online collaboration between different participants. The "Let's e-Orch!" face-to-face workshop will offer ensemble training with a free music app, GarageBand, and introduce the sounds and characteristics of different instruments. Adults are welcome to join the courses for fees of $430 and $805 respectively.

     The Music Office will also offer elementary courses on kalimba, the little harp, keyboard, ukulele and classical guitar; Western music theory (Grades 1 and 2); aural training; instrumental enrichment courses of liuyeqin, zhong-ruan, pipa, yangqin, zheng, erhu, violin, viola, cello and percussion (glockenspiel and practice pad); and ensemble training of Western strings and Chinese instruments. The course fees range from $320 to $1,005.

     The Outreach Music Interest Courses will continue to provide basic training on liuyeqin, zhong-ruan, pipa, yangqin, zheng, erhu, violin, viola, cello and percussion (glockenspiel and practice pad). The course fee is $1,070. 

     All courses are conducted in small groups in Cantonese. Participants of online courses are required to prepare their own electronic device equipped with a wireless or broadband data connection, a webcam and Zoom software in advance. Other courses will be held at different venues across the territory, namely the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Sha Tin Town Hall, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Tuen Mun Town Hall, North District Town Hall, Yuen Long Theatre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre, Kwai Tsing Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library and the Music Office's music centres in Wan Chai, Mong Kok, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan.
 
     Online applications are now available at the Music Office website www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice. Course prospectuses and application forms are also available at various performance venues of the LCSD and music centres of the Music Office. The deadline for applications is January 25. Oversubscribed courses will be processed by ballot. For courses not fully taken up after the first round of application, places will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis from March 2. 

     For enquiries, please call 3842 7773, 2596 0898 or 2598 8335.
 
     All persons are required to use the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application to scan the venue QR code before they are allowed to enter offices and venues under the LCSD, except for exempted persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above and those with disabilities that render use of the app difficult. Exemptions will also be granted to individual persons depending on the actual circumstances. All exempted persons are required to complete a record form to register their personal particulars and the date and time of their visit. As it will take time to verify personal particulars of exempted persons under the arrangement, their waiting time for using public services or entering the relevant venues may be lengthened. The LCSD suggests that members of the public arrive early, and appeals for their understanding. The department also encourages the exempted persons to use the app as far as possible to save time. 

      A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (January 3) clarified that the Government has absolutely no plan to place Hong Kong under lockdown and prohibit people from departing or coming to Hong Kong, or to forbid people from dining in restaurants after 6pm tonight. 

     The spokesman condemned those who have spread rumours online and via WhatsApp on Hong Kong being set for a lockdown at midnight and a no dine-in arrangement and caused public panic. Should any criminal elements be involved, the law-enforcement agencies will take action seriously. 

     The spokesman pointed out that the Secretary for Food and Health, together with the Director of Health and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, gave updates on the latest epidemic situation in the press briefing last Friday (December 31) and outlined the series of tightened measures to be taken. The Government will pursue the announced epidemic control measures rigorously and resolutely. 

     "The Government has all along been transparent with its epidemic control measures and will make announcements as early as possible. Any unhelpful speculation or spreading of rumours is counterproductive in the fight against the epidemic by the Government and the people of Hong Kong," he said.

     "We appeal to members of the public to be vigilant against rumours and pay attention to information released by the Government to avoid being misled."

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (January 3) that a dog inoculation campaign will be held at various fishing ports in Hong Kong. Fishermen can have their dogs vaccinated against rabies and microchipped and renew the licences.

     The AFCD mobile vaccination teams will provide the services at the following fishing ports according to the schedule below from 10am to 3pm:
 

     The half-yearly dog inoculation campaign has been held since 1980 with the aim of providing licensing renewal and rabies vaccination services for dogs that are kept by fishermen on board fishing vessels and spend long periods of time there. A fee of $80 will be charged for each dog. To date, more than 7 300 vaccinations have been given to dogs on fishing vessels by the AFCD.

     An AFCD spokesman said that the services are part of the proactive measures to prevent rabies, a fatal disease that is transmitted to humans from animals. Dogs on board vessels that have visited overseas countries may have come in contact with other animals carrying diseases, making them more susceptible to rabies infection.

     "Although Hong Kong has been free from animal rabies since 1987, we must remain vigilant to prevent any possible outbreak," the spokesman said.

     Under the Rabies Ordinance, all dogs aged over 5 months must be vaccinated against rabies, licensed and microchipped. Dogs have to be revaccinated against rabies and their licences have to be renewed at intervals not exceeding three years. Dog owners who fail to do so are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 upon conviction.

     The opening hours of the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) students' study rooms (SSR) will be extended during the examination period from March 1 to May 31, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (January 3).
 
     In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the number of seats in SSR will be adjusted to control the number of users. People who intend to use the SSR service during this examination period can apply for admission cards in person or by post from today.
 
     Application forms and details of the regulations are available at the public libraries provided with SSR and are also available at the "Library Notices" section on the HKPL's website (www.hkpl.gov.hk/eindex.html). The deadline for application is January 30, with the postmark date on the envelope taken as the application date. The result will be posted on the notice board of the respective public libraries from February 21 to 28.
 
     Applicants should be registered borrowers of the HKPL. Priority will be given to candidates sitting for major public exams and professional exams. Applicants can only submit one application and opt for one of the following sessions as detailed below:
 
March 1 to May 7 (admission card is required)
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Sessions:
Morning session: 8am to 12.30pm
Afternoon session: 12.45pm to 5.15pm
Evening session: 5.30pm to 10pm (Mondays to Fridays)
                         5.30pm to 9.30pm (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)
 
May 8 to 31 (seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and no admission card is required)
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Opening Hours:
8am to 10pm (Mondays to Fridays)
8am to 9.30pm (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)
 
     The arrangement will apply to the SSR service at Shek Tong Tsui, Chai Wan, Quarry Bay, Aberdeen, Pok Fu Lam, Lockhart Road, Kowloon, To Kwa Wan, Ngau Tau Kok, Shui Wo Street, Lam Tin, Po On Road, Lai Chi Kok, Ngau Chi Wan, San Po Kong, Yau Ma Tei, Fa Yuen Street, Sha Tin, Ma On Shan, Yuen Chau Kok, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, North Kwai Chung, South Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, Yuen Long, Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Tai Po, Sai Kung, Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O, Cheung Chau and Tung Chung Public Libraries.
 
     The HKPL may change and alter the opening hours or admission arrangement of SSR in response to public health concerns or other special circumstances when necessary. Please note the latest announcements of the HKPL. For enquiries, please contact individual libraries or call the Customer Hotline at 2921 0208 for the SSR service.
 
     All persons are required to use the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application to scan the venue QR code before they are allowed to enter offices and venues under the LCSD, except for exempted persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above and those with disabilities that render use of the app difficult. Exemptions will also be granted to individual persons depending on the actual circumstances. All exempted persons are required to complete a record form to register their personal particulars and the date and time of their visit. As it will take time to verify personal particulars of exempted persons under the arrangement, their waiting time for using public services or entering the relevant venues may be lengthened. The LCSD suggests that members of the public arrive early, and appeals for their understanding. The department also encourages the exempted persons to use the app as far as possible to save time.

     The Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (Ordinance) will take effect on January 22, 2022 to regulate tenancies of subdivided units (SDUs), with the following key requirements:

(1) a regulated cycle of tenancies for an SDU is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies for the SDU, each for a term of two years;
 
(2) a tenant of a first term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second term tenancy of the regulated cycle for the SDU, thus enjoying security of tenure of four years;
 
(3) rent increase during the term of a regulated tenancy is not allowed;
 
(4) the rate of rent increase for the second term tenancy of a regulated cycle must not exceed the percentage change of the territory-wide rental index for all classes of private domestic properties compiled and published by the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) during the relevant period, and is capped at 10 per cent;
 
(5) a landlord of a regulated tenancy commits an offence if the landlord requires the tenant to pay any non-permitted money or reimbursement of charges for specified utilities and services (including water and electricity); and
 
(6) a landlord of a regulated tenancy must, within 60 days after the term of the tenancy commences, submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to RVD. If the landlord, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the requirement, the landlord commits an offence.

     RVD is responsible for the implementation of the Ordinance, and has set up a new section to promote public awareness of the new regulatory regime; handle enquiries; provide free advisory and mediatory services on tenancy matters; publish the reported rent data of SDUs after implementation of the Ordinance; and take enforcement action as appropriate. 

     The Government has engaged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to set up six district Service Teams, assisting RVD to promote the new legislation to implement the tenancy control on SDUs at district level, including arranging different types of promotional activities regularly at the Service Districts to help landlords and tenants to understand their respective rights and obligations under the Ordinance, and to handle general enquiries, etc. Details of the six District Service Teams are given in Annex.

For enquiries, please contact RVD:
Website: www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/tenancy_matters.html
Email: enquiries@rvd.gov.hk
Hotline: 2150 8303