Tag Archives: China

Attention TV/radio announcers:   Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:        Here is an item of interest to swimmers.        The Leisure and … read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
 
     The Electoral Affairs Commission will hold two public forums this week on its provisional recommendations on the boundaries and names of the constituencies for the 2019 District Council Ordinary Election. Members of the public are welcome to attend any one of them to express their views on any constituency.
 
     The two public forums will be held from 7pm to 9.30pm on August 1 (Wednesday) and August 3 (Friday) at Lai Chi Kok Community Hall, 863 Lai Chi Kok Road, Sham Shui Po, and Lung Hang Estate Community Centre, Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin, respectively.
 
     The public consultation exercise started on July 23 and continues until August 21.
 
     The Commission will submit its final recommendations to the Chief Executive after taking into account representations received during the consultation period.
 
     Written representations on the proposed boundaries and names may be submitted by post to the Commission’s Secretariat (10/F, Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai), by fax (2511 1682) or by email (eacenq@reo.gov.hk) by August 21. Late submissions will not be considered.
 
     Members of the public can visit the Commission’s website (www.eac.gov.hk), Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of all District Offices, the Registration and Electoral Office, post offices, management offices of public housing estates, and major and district public libraries to study the maps and descriptions of the proposed boundaries of individual constituencies. For enquiries, please call 2827 1269. read more

     Asia Engineering (International) Company Limited deposited construction waste on the pavement without adopting dust emission control measures during its renovation works at Elizabeth House, 250-254 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. It was convicted and fined $10,000 at Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (July 30) for contravening the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation.
      
     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a report from a resident of the building that renovation works at the building emitted dust, which affected nearby pedestrians and residents. EPD enforcement staff carried out an inspection on January 12 this year and found that renovation work was carried out at the building. The contractor concerned deposited construction waste on the pavement outside the building without adopting dust emission control measures, which caused dust dispersion and affected nearby pedestrians and residents. The EPD initiated prosecution against the contractor in accordance with the Regulation after investigation and evidence collection.
      
     The spokesman said that renovation works contractors should adopt effective measures in accordance with the Regulation to prevent dust dispersion that affects nearby residents and the environment when carrying out renovation works at buildings, shopping malls or residential units. The dust control measures include erecting hoardings around works areas, duly spraying water at construction sites and using dust sheets to cover construction waste and stockpiles. First-time offenders are liable to a fine of $25,000. read more

     The air-conditioning system of Fulum Palace in North Point generated excessive noise persistently and affected nearby residents. Its operating company was convicted again and fined $15,000 by Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (July 30) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).
      
     An Environmental Protection Department (EPD) spokesman said that the air-conditioning system of Fulum Palace at King’s Road in North Point generated excessive noise. The restaurant was convicted for the first time in February this year. Fulum Palace then installed noise abatement devices for its air-conditioning system, but its noise level at night still exceeded the statutory limit, and the restaurant was thus prosecuted again. A timer switch for the air-conditioning system was installed by the restaurant this May to make sure that the system will be switched off before 11pm to avoid disturbing nearby residents.
      
     The spokesman reminded all restaurant operators that they should hire the services of qualified professionals for the installation of air-conditioning systems. Proper vibration isolation and noise abatement devices should also be in place to avoid generating excessive noise and causing nuisance to nearby residents.
      
     According to the NCO, anyone who violates the requirements of a noise abatement notice commits an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent conviction. Relevant company directors may also be prosecuted. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 30) 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 July 22 to 28, one community-acquired LD case was reported. The male patient, aged 68 with underlying illnesses, lives in Hay Ping House, Long Ping Estate, Ping Yee Road, Yuen Long.

     “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 July 28, 48 LD cases have 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:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• 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. read more