The following is issued on behalf of the Council for Sustainable Development:

     The Council for Sustainable Development (SDC) announced today (September 3) that seven new projects have been approved for funding under the Sustainable Development Fund.

     This is the 13th round of applications under the Fund, with a total of 50 proposals received. The seven approved projects, lasting from 12 to 24 months, involve a total grant of about $6.5 million. The seven projects are:

* No More Plastic Action by Greeners Action for a period of 24 months with a grant of $1,700,300. This project covers a comprehensive campaign to engage the public and local shops in addressing the abuse of plastic, which is one of the major environmental concerns globally. This project will also help promote the culture of “Use Less, Waste Less”;

* 'E' Pioneer Project for Promoting Sustainable Consumption of Biological Resources by New Home Association Limited for a period of 24 months with a grant of $1,267,692. This project couples the promotion of sustainable development with the policy objective of providing support for ethnic minorities to help with their integration into the community;

* Sustainable Consumption Behaviour Study by the Consumer Council for a period of 18 months with a grant of $1,200,000. This project follows up the SDC's recommendation of encouraging territory-wide study to examine behavioural changes on sustainable consumption of biological resources as raised in the last public engagement exercise;

* Green Tourism, Green Lives: Promoting Sustainability in Hong Kong’s Hospitality Industry by Soap Cycling Limited for a period of 24 months with a grant of $1,035,000. This project covers a wide range of community education and engagement events to draw the public and the hospitality industry's attention on waste issues in hotels, and encourage them to practise waste reduction in daily lives or operation;

* Lets – Less Movement by School of Everyday Life Limited for a period of 18 months with a grant of $686,940. This project advocates the engagement of the community in practising a green living style, which will support the promotion of SDC’s current public engagement on Long Term Decarbonisation Strategy;

* Be the Ranger of Sustainable Bio-resources by Jane Goodall Institute (Hong Kong) Limited for a period of 24 months with a grant of $476,400. This project will engage a large group of primary school students and their parents in the promotion of sustainable development to the community; and

* 'Imagine Sai Kung' Sustainable Development Campaign by Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups – Jockey Club Verbena Youth S.P.O.T. for a period of 12 months with a grant of $114,059. This project makes use of the applicant’s well-established community ties in Sai Kung to encourage upcycling of used materials, support the local economy and foster community building.

     A spokesperson for the SDC said, "The seven approved projects are conducive to promoting sustainable practices in the community, thus meeting the objectives of the Fund. They can enhance public understanding of sustainable development and encourage the application of sustainability principles in daily life."

     Details of these projects are available at www.enb.gov.hk/en/susdev/sdf.

     The Sustainable Development Fund was set up in 2003 to provide financial support for initiatives that will help enhance public awareness of sustainable development and encourage sustainable practices in Hong Kong. Including this round of applications, a cumulative total of 74 projects have been approved for grants from the Fund, involving a total amount of about $76 million.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 3) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From August 26 to September 1, three community-acquired LD cases were reported. They are:
 

1. A male patient, aged 61 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Ka Ming House, Ka Shing Court, Fanling;
2. A male patient, aged 58 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Tai On Building, Sai Wan Ho; and
3. A male patient, aged 58 with good past health, who lives in Stage 4, Marina Cove, Sai Kung.

     "Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of September 1, 63 LD cases had been reported in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, there were 72 and 75 cases respectively.

     "Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels," the spokesman said.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

1. Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
2. Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
3. If using these devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not tap water. Also, clean and maintain them regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

     
     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute the infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow medical advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile (not distilled or tap) water to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain them regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2-µm filters. Never leave stagnant water. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

     1. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
     2. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
     3. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
     4. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.

The following is issued on behalf of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Council:
 
     The Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Council reminded interested applicants today (September 3) that its Fellowships and Scholarships for Overseas Studies for the academic year 2019/20 have been accepting applications since July 3. The closing date for all applications is September 14, 2018.
 
     The fellowships and scholarships aim at encouraging outstanding students to pursue further education in reputable institutions overseas. Successful candidates for the awards are expected to have a strong sense of commitment to Hong Kong and be ready to contribute significantly to the community upon graduation. 
 
     The fellowships are for studies leading to postgraduate degrees either by research or by coursework; the scholarships are for studies leading to undergraduate degrees.
 
     The applicants will be responsible for fulfilling all application procedures and admission requirements of the academic institutions of their choice.
 
     The maximum value of a fellowship is HK$300,000 per year, tenable for up to three years for a doctoral degree or two years for a master degree. The maximum value of a scholarship is HK$280,000 per year, tenable for up to three years.
 
     Application forms and information notes can be downloaded from the website of the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency at www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo/en/forms/form.htm.
 
The documents are also available at the following offices:
 
(a)     Student Finance Office
         Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency
         Reception Hall, 11/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices
         303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon
         Hong Kong
 
(b)     Trust Funds and Temples Joint Secretariat
         Reception Counter, 34/F, Wu Chung House
         213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
         Hong Kong
 
     For enquiries, please call (852) 2150 6097 or (852) 2150 6098.
 
     Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend interviews in person in Hong Kong. The first round of interviews is scheduled for January 2019. If found suitable, applicants will be invited for a final interview to be held around February/March 2019.

     Traffic conditions were mostly smooth and public transport services were generally adequate to meet demand this morning on the first school day today (September 3), the Transport Department said.
 
     The department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) has been closely monitoring the traffic situation and public transport services since 6.30am today. Staff were deployed to monitor the traffic and transport situation on-site at various major public transport interchanges and school areas. They provided updated information to the ETCC for arranging public transport service enhancement or informing the Police for traffic regulation when necessary.
 
     "As in previous years, students are reminded to familiarise themselves with the public transport routes to be taken to school during the first few days of the new school term to determine the most suitable travel patterns," a department spokesman said.
 
     The department will continue to closely monitor the traffic situation and public transport services in the next few days when more schools begin to resume their normal school hours. Close liaison with major public transport operators and relevant government departments will also be maintained.
 
     The spokesman reminded students to allow more time for travel and pay attention to road safety. Those living on the outlying islands or attending schools on the outlying islands are advised to check in advance the ferry schedules, the vessel types to be used and journey times on their intended ferry trips. Meanwhile, in view of possible congestion in school areas, motorists should avoid driving to these areas.
 
     Drivers of nanny vans and school buses are also reminded to drive carefully, especially on steep roads, in narrow lanes or at locations where driving in reverse is necessary. Overloading is prohibited and they are not allowed to leave students unattended in the vehicles. An escort should be provided on board when serving kindergarten or primary school students.
 
     The road traffic, especially on major trunk roads and in some cross-harbour tunnels, is likely to become busier as compared with the situation in the summer holidays. Passenger demand for public transport services will also increase sharply. Members of the public are advised to allow more time for their trips during the morning peak hours.
 
     Members of the public should pay attention to the latest transport and traffic news on radio and television before leaving home. For enquiries, please call the department's hotline at 2804 2600 or the 1823 Call Centre.
 
     For enquiries on schedules of bus, ferry or railway services, please call the following hotlines or visit the websites of the major public transport operators:
 

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will depart for Guangzhou in the evening on September 4 to attend the 12th Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation and Development Forum and Trade Fair (PPRD Forum) to be held the next day. The Acting Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Andy Chan, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will join the visit.

     Mrs Lam will address the opening ceremony of the PPRD Forum and join a dialogue session to exchange views with the chief executives of Pan-Pearl River Delta provinces/regions and guests. She will also attend a joint conference with the chief executives of Pan-Pearl River Delta provinces/regions and have bilateral meetings with some of the Mainland's provincial leaders.
 
     In addition, Mrs Lam will attend the fifth Hong Kong Legal Services Forum in Guangzhou organised by the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and other organisations, and give a keynote speech at the luncheon.

     Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the evening on September 5. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be Acting Chief Executive.