Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (June 16).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) raided an unlicensed food factory at a premises at the junction of Hung Shui Kiu Tin Sam Road and Hung Yuen Road in Hung Shui Kiu, Yuen Long, last night (June 14).
 
     The unlicensed food factory was operated with a number of handcart stalls selling cooked food and seven handcart stalls were found operating on the premises. During the operation, FEHD officers seized seven handcart stalls, about 50 kilograms of raw and cooked food, and large quantities of cooking utensils. One man, who was suspected to be the proprietor of the premises, was arrested and charged with operating an unlicensed food factory.
 
     Under the Food Business Regulation (Cap 132X), anyone operating an unlicensed food factory commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

     "The FEHD will continue to take stringent enforcement action against unlicensed food business," a spokesman for the FEHD said.
 
     "Members of the public can report any suspected unlicensed food business by calling the FEHD hotline 2868 0000."

  

     The Government announced today (June 15) the launch of the Green Bond Grant Scheme (GBGS), as promulgated in the 2018-19 Budget, to subsidise eligible green bond issuers in obtaining certification under the Green Finance Certification Scheme (GFCS) established by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency.

     "The GBGS aims to encourage green bond issuances to make use of Hong Kong's competitive capital markets and our sophisticated financial and professional services. From a broader perspective, the enhanced transparency and accreditation standards of green financial products would be conducive to strengthening market confidence in green finance, and help establish Hong Kong as a global green finance hub," a government spokesperson said.

     The full cost of obtaining certification under the GFCS for eligible green bond issuances will be granted, up to a maximum of $800,000 per bond issuance. First time and repeated issuers with their green bonds of any tenor issued and listed in Hong Kong, and denominated in any currency at a minimum size of $500 million (or the equivalent in foreign currency), are welcome to apply. The GBGS will be valid for a period of three years. Further details on the grant eligibility criteria are available in the Annex.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (June 15) the progress made in its handling of banking complaints received as at end-May 2018. Banking complaints include cases concerning general banking services and conduct-related issues.
 
     In May 2018, 157 cases were received and the handling of 163 cases was completed. As at end-May, the handling of 458 cases was in progress. 
 
     A table summarising the progress made in the handling of banking complaints by the HKMA is attached.
 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 15) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
 
     From June 8 to 14, the CHP recorded three confirmed DF cases. The patients had been to Thailand (two cases) and Indonesia (one case) during the incubation period.
 
     As of yesterday (June 14), 32 cases had been confirmed this year, all of which were imported cases. The cases were mainly imported from Thailand (15), the Philippines (seven) and Cambodia (three).
 
     DF remains endemic in some areas in Asia. In Guangdong, there were 38 cases this year as of June 14. The latest figures for 2018 reveal that 17 302 cases have been recorded in Thailand, 1 223 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 53 in Japan. In the Americas, the latest figures indicate that 110 291 cases have been filed in Brazil in 2018.
 
     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika virus infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.
   

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a concentration of DEET of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents for details.