Author Archives: hksar gov

     The EatSmart School Accreditation Scheme (ESAS) under the EatSmart@school.hk (ESS) campaign, has been jointly organised by the Department of Health (DH) and the Education Bureau (EDB) since the 2009/10 school year. The ESAS has long received full support from the education sector. So far, over 100 schools have attained the accreditation of EatSmart School, the highest honour in the ESAS, to promote healthy eating on campus, and encourage and cultivate students to develop healthy eating habits to safeguard their health in the long run.

     The ESAS is one of the key programmes under the ESS campaign. According to the accreditation criteria of the ESAS, accredited schools have to demonstrate a commitment to continuously implement administrative measures, providing healthy lunches and snacks in accordance with the nutritional requirements stipulated in the “Nutritional Guidelines on Lunch for Students” and the “Nutritional Guidelines on Snacks for Students” of the DH, and organising educational programmes and publicity events to create a nutrition-friendly learning environment for students.

     Over 290 primary schools and special schools have participated in the ESAS since its inception. Among them, 132 have attained accreditation, of which 103 have achieved the honour of EatSmart School. The school accreditation is valid for three years. Eight of the accredited schools attained the EatSmart School accreditation for the fifth consecutive time and were presented with the Award for Continuous Promotion of Healthy Eating at School this year. To recognise their efforts, representatives of the Health Promotion Branch (HPB) of the DH visited the schools accredited in the 2023/24 school year in June to present the awards and share tips for creating an environment conducive to healthy eating for students. For details about the ESAS Awards Presentation 2024, please visit school.eatsmart.gov.hk/en/content_esas.aspx?id=6116.
      
     In addition, the campaign’s Joyful Fruit Month event and the Salt Reduction Scheme for School Lunches have both received widespread support from stakeholders. In the 2023/24 school year, a record-breaking total of 1 657 kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and special schools participated in the Joyful Fruit Month event. For the Salt Reduction Scheme for School Lunches, 12 participating school lunch suppliers have provided sodium-reduced school lunch options for about 500 primary schools in Hong Kong.
      
     The Head of the HPB of the DH, Dr Leung Yiu-hong, said that schools, parents and lunch suppliers play vital roles in developing healthy eating habits among students, and stakeholders are advised to adopt a low-sodium eating routine at school and at home cohesively, and encourage students to consume a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits every day.
      
     Dr Leung added that the support and guidance of the EDB and steering committee members of the campaign over the years have been key to the smooth running of the campaign in the past 18 years. He also expressed his sincere gratitude for the active participation and support of principals, teachers, parents and students from different schools, as well as the co-operation of food suppliers. He appealed to all parties to continue their support for the campaign and help nurture a nutrition-friendly environment of learning and living for students.
      
     More information on the campaign is available at the DH’s thematic website (school.eatsmart.gov.hk).

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     â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
      
     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
      
     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
      
     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work” to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees’ risk of heat stroke.
      
     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
      
     The LD issued the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work”, detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers’ and employees’ reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department’s thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm. read more

     A woman who went missing in Kwun Tong has been located.      Chan Chak-kwai, aged 33, went missing after she left her caring home on Fuk Tong Road on July 9 afternoon. Staff of the caring home made a repo… read more

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (July 12) will be cancelled.      If the thunderstorm warning is can… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 12) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     “The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system,” the spokesman explained.

     “Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention,” the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     
     â€‹The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, preferably higher. Reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

    
     â€‹If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
     
     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH’s Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO’s Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. read more