Attention TV and radio duty announcers:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement as soon as possible, and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     A vegetation fire broke out in the vicinity of Por Lo Shan in Tuen Mun at 7.34am today (January 27). The Fire Services Department is conducting a firefighting operation.

     Members of the public who are being affected by the smoke and an unusual odour carried by the wind are advised to close their doors and windows and stay calm.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 27) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on the prevention of accident in confined space works at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (January 27):

Reporter: Secretary, about labour safety, as you said the Code of Practice will be issued for those working in confined space, when will this be issued? How effective do you hope this will increase the safety?

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Our plan is to promulgate the revised "Code of Practice – Safety and Health at Work in Confined Spaces" within the first half of this year. This is our work plan. Right now, we have completed consultation with the stakeholders. We are looking at ways to refine and finalise the Code. One of the key changes to be made in the Code is to make use of technology. One idea, we think it is quite possible, is to require the installation of cameras at the entrance in confined spaces. Through cameras, there is literally no incentive for those working in confined spaces to cut corners, because all the entrances, their behaviour and equipment will be fully recorded by camera. By this way, we hope they will be able to make sure that people have every incentive to comply with all the safety requirements for working in confined spaces.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Yellow fire danger warning

     The fire danger situation today (January 27) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.

     Hong Kong PHAB Association has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (January 27), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said. 

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.