As the Year of the Dragon unfolds, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (February 10), on the first day of the Lunar New Year, attended the blessing lantern lighting ceremony of the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival 2024 to extend his New Year greetings to citizens of Hong Kong. He also paid a visit to the Shenzhen Bay Control Point to learn about its preparation and operations during the Lunar New Year holidays and express his heartfelt gratitude to colleagues who dedicatedly performed their duties.

     Mr Chan attended the blessing lantern lighting ceremony of the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival 2024 in Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, this morning, joining citizens in wishing Hong Kong a prosperous New Year. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said that this year is the Year of the Dragon, with the dragon symbolising wisdom and strength. He eagerly looks forward to the Government, jointly with all sectors of society, gathering wisdom, exerting strength, and leading Hong Kong to soar and thrive in the new journey of advancement from stability to prosperity.

     He added that the Government will continue to be wholehearted in its governance in the New Year. He wished for the collaboration of the Government, the business sector and the community in achieving four hopes, namely safeguarding national security with resolute determination, drawing diverse talent with full confidence, supporting grassroots communities with joint efforts, and enhancing district governance with people's needs taken to heart.

     This is the first Lunar New Year holiday after the resumption of normality in Hong Kong, with the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and the Lo Wu Control Point extending their service hours on specified dates of the holidays for the first time to divert cross-boundary passenger and vehicular movements more effectively. Accompanied by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, and the Director of Immigration, Mr Benson Kwok, Mr Chan also visited the Shenzhen Bay Control Point this morning to inspect its operations and meet frontline staff of the Customs and Excise Department, the Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force who were on duty. He learnt about the arrangements for customs clearance, public order maintenance, etc, at the control point during the Lunar New Year period. Along the way, he took the opportunity to extend his New Year greetings to the citizens and travellers he met.

     Mr Chan was pleased to note that the relevant government departments have been in close liaison with one another, as well as with stakeholders of transport, tourism and other sectors, for proper preparation and co-ordination. The various control points in Hong Kong, including the two aforesaid ones, have been generally operating in an orderly and smooth manner. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the colleagues at the control points, as well as to all other staff of the Government and practitioners from various sectors who work steadfastly during the Lunar New Year holidays.

     Mr Chan instructed all relevant departments to press ahead with the full implementation of the special boundary-crossing and relevant transport arrangements for the Lunar New Year holidays. The departments will continue to deploy manpower appropriately to ensure sufficient clearance counters and channels available at various control points for effective diversion of passenger and vehicular traffic. They will also continue to liaise closely with their Mainland counterparts. The aim is to maintain orderly customs clearance for the public and travellers. The Transport Department will continuously monitor the traffic situation in various districts, especially at control points and major stations, and maintain close communication with the MTR Corporation Limited and operators of other public transport such as franchised buses and cross-boundary coaches. It will take timely measures as the situation so warrants.

     At the same time, Mr Chan appealed to travellers visiting Hong Kong during the Lunar New Year to plan their trips in advance to avoid departure via land boundary control points in the small hours or peak hours. He encouraged them to stay overnight in Hong Kong to have a more diverse and enriching travel experience. He instructed relevant departments, in collaboration with public transport operators, to continue to disseminate in a timely manner the latest information on the traffic conditions at the control points and major stations through television, radio and online platforms, so that citizens and travellers intending to enter or leave Hong Kong can make appropriate transportation arrangements.

     The day before yesterday (February 8), Mr Chan joined the year-end caring visit in 18 districts co-ordinated by the Home Affairs Department in the Central and Western District. He visited ethnic-minority families and distributed gifts on behalf of the Government to share with them the festive joy. He also participated in the Day x Night Vibes @ 18 Districts "Yau Tsim Mong Presents – The Year Of The Dragon: Countdown Celebration" event at Yau Ma Tei Community Centre Rest Garden yesterday (February 9) to ring in the joyous Year of the Dragon with members of the public.

                

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Yellow fire danger warning

     The fire danger situation today (February 10) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (February 10) reminded the public, particularly the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health in view of the cold weather.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that cold weather can easily trigger or exacerbate diseases, especially among the elderly and persons suffering from heart disease, respiratory illness or other chronic illnesses.

     "Elderly people have less insulating fat beneath their skin to keep them warm and their body temperature control mechanism may be weaker. Their body may not be able to appropriately respond to the cold weather," the spokesman said.

     Some senior persons may have decreased mobility, which can in turn impair their ability to generate and conserve body heat. Chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes and endocrine disorders may undermine the health of elderly people and lower their metabolic rate, subsequently causing their body to generate less heat. Persons with chronic illnesses such as chronic respiratory illnesses or heart disease are vulnerable to disease aggravation due to cold weather.

     The CHP reminded the public, in particular the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to adopt the following preventive measures:
 

• Take note of the weather forecast. Wear warm clothing, including hats, scarves, gloves and socks accordingly;
• Consume sufficient food to ensure adequate calorie intake;
• Perform regular exercise to facilitate blood circulation and heat production;
• Stay in a warm environment and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure;
• Use heaters with care, and maintain adequate indoor ventilation; and
• Seek medical advice if feeling unwell.

     In addition, the public should avoid alcoholic beverages.

     "Drinking alcohol cannot keep you warm. Alcohol accelerates the loss of body heat through dilated blood vessels, resulting in chilling instead," the spokesman said.

     "Parents should ensure that babies are sufficiently warm, but it is also important to keep babies relatively lightly clothed to avoid overheating them," the spokesman added.

     Parents should observe the following safety measures when putting their children to bed:  

• Keep the room well ventilated and at a comfortable temperature;
• Always place babies on their back to sleep. Leave their head, face and arms uncovered during sleep;
• Babies do not need pillows. Place babies on a firm and well-fitted mattress to sleep. Avoid soft objects, pillows and loose bedding;
• Let babies sleep in a cot placed in the parents' room and near their bed; and
• Maintain a smoke-free environment.

 
     In addition, seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccination early. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website.
      
     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. Influenza vaccination may reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation and the length of stay. It is important for elderly persons, especially those residing in residential care homes, to receive both seasonal influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination. They should also receive an additional booster against COVID-19 according to recommendations as soon as possible. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against respiratory illnesses and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

    
     Food-borne diseases, particularly those linked to hot pot cuisine, are also common in cold weather. The following preventive measures should be taken:
 

• Wash hands before handling and consuming food;
• Do not patronise unlicensed vendors or those with poor hygienic standards while selecting food;
• Wash and cook all food thoroughly;
• Vegetables should be washed thoroughly in clean running water before cooking and consumption. When appropriate, scrub vegetables with hard surfaces with a clean brush to remove dirt and substances, including pesticide residues and contaminants, from the surface and crevices;
• Shrimps should be fully cooked until the shells turn red and the flesh turns white and opaque;
• For shellfish such as scallops and geoduck, scrub the shells thoroughly and remove internal organs;
• Most hot pot ingredients should be stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees Celsius or below, while frozen food should be stored in a freezer at -18 degrees C or below;
• Never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce for hot pot; and
• Use different sets of chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination.

     In addition, when using fuel-burning appliances, especially in indoor areas, the public should ensure adequate ventilation to avoid harmful exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and prevent CO poisoning.

     For more health information, the public may call the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) or visit the CHP's website and Facebook Fanpage.

     The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit the website of the Hong Kong Observatory for the latest weather information and forecast, or its page on Weather Information for Senior Citizens.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Cold Weather Warning is in force:

     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Cold Weather Warning is in force, they should take appropriate precautions such as reminding employees who have to work outdoors or in remote areas to wear appropriately warm clothing, and make arrangements for employees to rotate from outdoor to indoor or sheltered work sites as far as possible. Employees should take note of the weather report, wear appropriately warm clothing and be mindful of their health conditions. They should notify their supervisors and seek medical help immediately if feeling unwell, such as having cold limbs and body shivering.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) hosted a reception in Edinburgh, the United Kingdom (UK), on February 8 (London time) for celebrating the Year of the Dragon.

     In collaboration with the China-Britain Business Council, London ETO hosted the "Toast to the Dragon" reception for the Chinese Burns Supper which celebrates both the Chinese New Year and the Burns Night.

     Speaking at the reception, the Director-General of the London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, highlighted the strong and long standing ties between Hong Kong and the UK as testified by the establishment or expansion of 48 UK companies in Hong Kong last year and elaborated on the key advantages of Hong Kong, including low and simple taxation, common law regime, firm adherence to the rule of law, clean and efficient government, freedom of capital movement, top-notch infrastructure, and the opportunities brought by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, etc.

     Mr Law also spoke about the post-pandemic recovery of Hong Kong following the resumption of normal travel a year ago. He highlighted that Hong Kong received 34 million visitors in 2023 and more than 80 mega events would be taking place in Hong Kong in the first half of 2024, such as ComplexCon Hong Kong, Art Basel Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Sevens.

     â€‹The reception was well attended by over 300 guests from business, academic and cultural sectors as well as the Chinese community. Among the guests were the Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade of the Scottish Government, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Edinburgh.