The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (August 30) announced its approval of the 23rd batch of applications for the trials of green innovative transport technologies under the Pilot Green Transport Fund.

     The 11 newly approved applications are for the trials of 16 electric light goods vehicles (van type) involving a total subsidy of about $3.3 million. The applications were from:

Chan Foon Kee
Chun Tat Motor Limited
Cinpek Engineering Limited
Ferrari Logistics (Asia) Limited
Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited
Hong Kong Wastewater Treatment Plant Management Company Limited
Kam Po Engineering Company Limited
New Creat Auto Engineering Co Limited
Pan Kee Engineering Co Limited
Rise Deal Limited
Wing Ming (Car Rental) Company Limited

     The latest approval brings the total number of trials being pursued under the Fund to 135 for testing three electric taxis, three electric light buses, 21 single-deck electric buses, 72 electric light goods vehicles (van type), one electric medium goods vehicle (tractor), 48 hybrid light goods vehicles (non-van type), 28 hybrid medium goods vehicles, 11 hybrid public light buses, two single-deck hybrid buses, one solar air-conditioning system for a bus, four electric inverter air-conditioning systems for buses, three diesel-electric propulsion systems for ferries and one seawater scrubber for a ferry, amounting to a total subsidy of about $138 million.

     At present, 97 approvals under the Fund are already on trial. Sixty-seven of them have completed the trials, involving three electric taxis, eight single-deck electric buses, 42 electric light goods vehicles (van type), 25 hybrid light goods vehicles (non-van type), 14 hybrid medium goods vehicles, five hybrid public light buses, one solar air-conditioning system for a bus, one electric inverter air-conditioning system for a bus, one diesel-electric propulsion system for a ferry and one seawater scrubber for a ferry have completed their trials. The EPD will continue to upload the interim and final reports once completed to the Fund's website for public information.

     The Government put in place the $300 million Fund in March 2011 to subsidise the testing of green innovative transport technologies. The Fund is open for applications from public transport operators, charitable and non-profit-making organisations providing services to clients, and goods vehicle operators. The technologies for trial include alternative-fueled vehicles, conversion of in-use conventional vehicles to alternative-fueled vehicles, and after-treatment emission reduction devices or fuel saving devices related to transport activities. Transport operators may apply for the Fund to try out different green innovative products subject to a maximum subsidy of $9 million for each application and $12 million in total.

     For more information on the Fund and the approved applications, please visit the EPD's website (www.epd.gov.hk) or call the enquiry hotline on 2824 0022.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, August 30, 2018 is 104 (up 0.2 against yesterday's index).

     In view of the confirmed local dengue fever cases on Cheung Chau, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, and the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, today (August 30) went to Cheung Chau to view the progress of the Government's anti-mosquito work and visited residents and a school there during the visit.

     Mr Cheung said, "The Government is very concerned about the 27 confirmed local dengue fever cases recorded in Hong Kong so far this year. Among them, the patients of nine confirmed cases reside in or visited Cheung Chau during the incubation period. We will spare no effort in conducting all-out intensive anti-mosquito operations in the hope of curbing the spread of dengue fever with the concerted efforts of district organisations. The new school year will begin next week and therefore I have come to Cheung Chau with Professor Chan to check the implementation of mosquito prevention and control work.

     "At the Pest Control Steering Committee meeting in mid-August, I had already instructed the relevant bureaux and departments to make reference to the modus operandi of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to carry out anti-mosquito work in areas under their purview, with enhanced strength, coverage and intensity, for co-operating with this territory-wide anti-mosquito operation in a concerted manner.

     "Further to the joint operation on August 22, the Food and Health Bureau, the Department of Health, the FEHD, the Home Affairs Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Islands District Council and the Cheung Chau Rural Committee carried out another joint operation on Cheung Chau today to strengthen the dissemination of anti-mosquito messages to residents as well as the anti-mosquito measures at their homes and surroundings."

     Professor Chan said, "Co-operation and support of the public is vital to control the spread of dengue fever. Mosquito control requires the concerted efforts of all sectors of the community and members of the public should maintain personal hygiene and prevent mosquito breeding in their everyday lives. I appeal to all sectors of the community to join hands with the Government to take effective measures to prevent the problem of mosquito infestation."

     She added, "In view of the implementation of the All-out Anti-mosquito Operation by the FEHD in all districts, we have allocated extra funding of $4 million to the FEHD to facilitate the additional anti-mosquito work to be carried out by the District Environmental Hygiene Offices, as well as to strengthen the co-operation with the environmental hygiene committees of the District Councils to eradicate the black spots of mosquito breeding grounds in the districts immediately. The funding will be used for the purchase of ultra-low-volume foggers, the engagement of additional Pest Control Teams and the enhancement of publicity and educational work on mosquito prevention and control. We will also closely monitor the needs of districts and make corresponding measures in a timely manner.

     "Furthermore, in order to accelerate the announcement of the ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus with a view to enhancing the awareness of residents in taking mosquito preventive measures, the FEHD will adopt a new arrangement in the release of the ovitrap index starting from September. The figures for individual districts will usually be uploaded to the FEHD website in phases days after the collection of ovitraps so that members of the public may obtain the latest information on the situation of mosquito infestation as early as possible."

     During the operation, the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Secretary for Food and Health inspected the mosquito prevention and control work carried out by FEHD staff. Earlier, the FEHD gradually extended its anti-mosquito operation on Cheung Chau from areas within a 500-metre radius of the residences and activity areas of the patients to other places where houses are located and more visitors appear. The FEHD has also inspected the camp sites and schools on Cheung Chau since last week and reminded them to take mosquito control measures.

     Mr Cheung and Professor Chan also visited Cheung Chau Government Secondary School and a household. They said they were pleased to learn that the school and the household had proactively taken anti-mosquito measures in the campus and at home. The officials stressed that co-operation and participation of the community and residents, in addition to the efforts of the government departments, are crucial to effective mosquito control over the territory.

     The CHP appeals to members of the public not to visit Lion Rock Park during the closure period in order to prevent contracting dengue fever. Scientific studies have shown that infected persons can transmit the virus to mosquitoes through mosquito bites even if they remain asymptomatic or before their onset of symptoms, leading to further spread of the disease. Hence, people who have visited Lion Rock Park are advised to apply insect repellent for 14 days after their last visit, and those with dengue fever symptoms should seek medical advice as early as possible. People who reside in or visit Cheung Chau are advised to apply insect repellent during their stay and continue applying it for 14 days after their last day of stay to prevent infection and secondary spread.

     The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the dengue fever pages of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) and its Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the FEHD's Guidebook on Control and Prevention of Mosquito Breeding for more information.

            

     The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has ordered a food factory in Kwun Tong to suspend business for 14 days as the operator repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by extending the business area illegally.

     The premises, located at shop G5 on the ground floor of Ka Kwai Arcade of Yau Tong Centre at 9-11 Ka Wing Street, Yau Tong, was ordered to suspend business from today (August 30) to September 12.

     "In March and May this year, two convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the operator of the shop. A total fine of $5,500 was levied by the court and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the 14-day business suspension," a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.

     The licensee of the food premises had a record of two convictions for the same offence in October last year and February this year. A total fine of $3,000 was levied and 30 demerit points were registered. The breaches led to business suspension for seven days in April this year.

     The spokesman reminded licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR, or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.

     Licensed food premises are required to exhibit a sign, at a conspicuous place near the main entrance, indicating that the premises have been licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD's website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/index.html).

     The Tobacco Control Office (TCO) of the Department of Health today (August 30) reminded the public that the smoking ban will be extended to cover three additional bus interchanges (BIs) leading to expressways or tunnels with the commencement of the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 2018 tomorrow (August 31). The three new statutory no-smoking areas (NSAs) are:
 
1. Aberdeen Tunnel Bus Interchange;
2. Lantau Toll Plaza Bus Interchange; and
3. Tuen Mun Road Bus Interchange.
 
     "The extension is aimed at further protecting the public from the harm of second-hand smoke," a spokesman for the TCO said.
 
     Since March 31, 2016, the following eight BIs at tunnel portal areas have been designated as statutory NSAs:
 
1. Lion Rock Tunnel Bus Interchange;
2. Cross-Harbour Tunnel Bus Interchange;
3. Eastern Harbour Crossing Bus Interchange;
4. Shing Mun Tunnels Bus Interchange;
5. Tate's Cairn Tunnel Bus Interchange;
6. Western Harbour Crossing Bus Interchange;
7. Tai Lam Tunnel Bus Interchange; and
8. Tsing Sha Highway Bus Interchange.
 
     "Enforcement at the designated NSAs has been largely smooth and the public has welcomed the smoking ban in these areas. To further protect the health of individuals, the Government decided to extend the smoking ban to the three additional BIs under the Order.
 
     "With the commencement of the Order, the smoking ban covers all 11 BIs that lead to expressways or tunnels throughout the territory," the spokesman said.
 
     No-smoking signs and layout plans have been put up, and demarcation lines have been displayed to indicate clearly the boundaries with regard to the respective physical settings at the new statutory NSAs to remind the public of the smoke-free requirements. Publicity activities have also been launched to promote public awareness and compliance.
 
     The plans showing the boundaries of the NSAs are also available in the Land Registry, and have been uploaded to the TCO's website (www.tco.gov.hk/english/legislation/legislation_bi.html) for public inspection.
 
     Any person who smokes or carries a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe in a designated NSA or in public transport will be liable for a fixed penalty of $1,500. Tobacco Control Inspectors will prosecute smoking offenders without prior warning.
 
     "We appeal to smokers to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of the others. They are encouraged to call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183. The hotline is operated by registered nurses, providing professional counselling services on smoking cessation," the spokesman said.