Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

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

     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force, they should assess the risk of heat stroke to their employees and adopt effective preventive measures such as providing cool drinking water, setting up temporary sunshade and providing mechanical aids to reduce physical exertion of employees. Employees should drink water regularly and be mindful of their physical condition. If early heat stroke symptoms such as headache and thirst appear, they should inform their supervisors and seek medical help immediately.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     Hong Kong Customs seized a total of 320 computer central processing units, 300 computer rams, 10 smartphones and 6 350 grams of raw amber rock at Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday (June 26) and today (June 27) with an estimated market value of about $560,000.

     Customs officers yesterday and today separately intercepted three outgoing private vehicles at Shenzhen Bay Control Point.  Upon inspection, a total of 320 computer centrl processing units, 300 computer rams, 10 smartphones and 6 350 grams of raw amber rock were found on the false compartments of the three vehicles. The three male drivers, aged 30, 36 and 43, were arrested.

     Investigations are ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

      

     The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, visited two pharmaceutical firms in Basel today (June 27, Zurich time) and met with officials from Switzerland in Zurich before concluding his visit to Europe.
 
     Mr Yang's programme in Basel covered visits to Novartis and Roche. Encouraging more research and development to improve healthcare services and seeking opportunities for collaboration, Mr Yang updated the pharmaceutical industry on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's plan to form two research clusters with HK$10 billion in dedicated funding for healthcare technologies and artificial intelligence and robotics at the Hong Kong Science Park. These two areas tie in with Hong Kong's research and development strengths and capabilities.
 
     In the afternoon, Mr Yang called on the Mayor of Zurich, Ms Corine Mauch. He said he was pleased to see the Mayor again after the Smart City Conference held in Hong Kong as part of the Zurich Meets Hong Kong festival in late 2017. With the HKSAR Government having released the Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong, Mr Yang said he looked forward to forging more collaboration between Hong Kong and Zurich.
 
     Mr Yang then paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Consul-General in Zurich, Mr Zhao Qinghua, and Government Councillor of Zurich Ms Carmen Walker Späh before concluding his day visit to Switzerland.
 
     Joining Mr Yang for the visit were the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Albert Wong, and the Biotechnology Director of the Innovation and Technology Commission, Dr Cecilia Pang.
 
     With the completion of his three-nation European visit to France, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, Mr Yang left Zurich in the evening and will arrive in Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon (June 28).

    

     Hong Kong Customs today (June 27) arrested a female owner cum saleslady of a beauty parlour suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices involving misleading omission in the sale of beauty service, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a female owner cum saleslady of a beauty parlour in Ngau Tau Kok failed to timely provide the information about the restriction imposed on the use of the beauty service procured by customers, causing customers to make a transactional decision to use such service.

     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 47-year-old woman.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested woman has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any trader who engages in a commercial practice that omits or hides material information or provides material information in a manner that is unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely, and as a result causes, or is likely to cause, an average consumer to make a transactional decision commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).