Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals: The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (May 13) that the red flag at Silverstrand Beach in … read more
The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) conducted the second phase of a trial flight inspection by small unmanned aircraft (SUA) on May 9, 10 and 13. According to the standards of the International Civil Avi… read more
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on the governance of the Social Workers Registration Board at a media session this afternoon (May 13) after attending a meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Welfare Services:
Reporter: Secretary, are there any plans to change the composition of the Social Workers Registration Board, by increasing the ratio of appointed members? Also, how would you respond to the Board Chairperson’s comments that existing mechanism has been effective enough in handling registration regarding offenders of serious offences?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: I pointed out very clearly in the article I published earlier about my serious concerns that the Social Workers Registration Board is deviating from what it should be doing under the law and what it has been doing right now undermines public interest and also the credibility and professionalism of social workers. There is no misunderstanding. I have complete information about what is going on in the Board. Based on my clear understanding and my serious concerns about what is going on there, I have pointed out very clearly that we have to improve the governance of the Board, so that the Board will in future deal with issues concerning registration of social workers as well as disciplinary matters concerning social workers in a manner that is commensurate with the need to ensure that public interest is given priority and also the professionalism and credibility of social workers is being upheld.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more
The Transport Department (TD) announced today (May 13) that 1 000 regular quotas for Hong Kong cross-boundary non-commercial private cars using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) to Macao (Hong Kong quotas) are now allocated through open application.
“The 1 000 quotas allocated from July 2021 will expire on June 30, 2024. The 1 000 quotas are reopened for application, half of which are for company applicants and half are for individual applicants. The quotas are valid for no more than three years until June 30, 2027. All eligible parties, including existing quota holders of the batch, may submit applications. Quota holders are expected to be able to travel between Hong Kong and Macao via the HZMB starting from July 1, 2024, at the earliest,” a TD spokesman said.
The eligibility criteria for quota applications remain unchanged. Company quotas are open for companies registered in both Hong Kong and Macao, or companies registered in Hong Kong that are associated with another company registered in Macao, while individual quotas are open to permanent residents of Hong Kong employed with remunerations in Macao or have established a registered company in Macao. Details of the application criteria and licensing requirements are available in the Annex and on the TD’s website. Private cars allocated with Hong Kong quotas will be permitted to access the city of Macao multiple times via the HZMB. Quotas will be reallocated upon expiry through open applications such that more could benefit from the scheme. The reallocation exercise will not affect the validity of Hong Kong quotas in other batches.
Eligible parties may apply for the Hong Kong quotas through the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/regularquotahktomacao) from today until 5.15pm on May 25, 2024.
To enhance the application process, the TD will simplify some of the application documents for the Hong Kong quotas, which include waivers of documentary proof of the relationship between the applicants and the designated drivers and the taxation proof for applicants of company quotas. For application procedures and details, please visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/closed_road_permit_for_cross_boundary_vehicles/rq_hk_private_cars_to_macao_access_city_centre/index.html) or call 2804 2600. read more
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will allocate some 18 000 new extendable niches at Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI in Fanling and Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium in Eastern District, which are open for applications from today (May 13) to June 12.
An FEHD spokesman said, “For this niche allocation exercise, a total of 8 040 extendable niches at Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI will be allocated, including 8 000 standard niches (4 000 smoke-free niches and 4 000 non-smoke-free niches) and 40 large niches (20 smoke-free niches and 20 non-smoke-free niches). As for Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium, a total of 10 060 extendable niches including 10 000 standard niches (5 000 smoke-free niches and 5 000 non-smoke-free niches) and 60 large niches (30 smoke-free niches and 30 non-smoke-free niches) will be allocated.”
The spokesman added, “Since the quantity of each type of niche (standard/large, smoke-free/non-smoke-free) available for allocation in the two columbaria is different, the chance of successful allocation varies. When deciding the type of niche to be selected for application, applicants should make reference to relevant information in the application form for assessing the chance of a successful allocation. In addition, applicants opting for a niche in Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium could also opt to accept the same type of niche remaining in Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI as a backup choice if the allocation of their first choice is unsuccessful.”
Members of the public can visit the FEHD’s website (www.fehd.gov.hk) for details, make an online application or download the application forms. Leaflets and application forms are also available at the department’s Hong Kong or Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office, District Environmental Hygiene Offices and Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department. In addition, members of the public may call hotline 2841 9111 or email to apply_newniche@fehd.gov.hk for enquiries and request application forms by fax (2333 1716).
The spokesman encouraged applicants to apply online so as to avoid postal delay. They can also receive an acknowledgement receipt with a case number shortly after the submission, thus facilitating the follow-up of the application in the future. If the applicant is the same person who has applied for cremation service for the deceased, it is more convenient to submit an online application through the “iAM Smart” app without the need to attach copies of the required documents. Applications can also be submitted by the above-mentioned fax or email, by post or in person to the FEHD Hong Kong or the Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office.
Information on the Cemeteries and Crematoria Offices and Public Niche Allocation Office of FEHD is as follows:
Hong Kong Cemeteries and Crematoria Office
Address: 1J Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Tel: 2570 4318
Fax: 2591 1879
Kowloon Cemeteries and Crematoria Office
Address: Upper Ground Floor, 6 Cheong Hang Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon
Tel: 2365 5321
Fax: 2176 4963
Public Niche Allocation Office
Address: Units 3501-3511 and 3520-3525, 35/F, Tower 1, Metroplaza, 223 Hing Fong Road, Kwai Fong, NT
Tel：2330 5635
Fax：2333 1716
The spokesman reminded those who wish to apply for allocation of the above niches for the deceased to submit the completed application forms together with the copies of required documents on or before June 12 to avoid missing this application period. read more