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

Hong Kong Monetary AuthorityExchange Fund Bills Tender Results
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Hong Kong Monetary Authority Tenders to be held in the week beginning June 18, 2018:
 

     A one-off extra allowance will be made by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) to recipients of social security payments, including recipients of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) as well as recipients of the Old Age Allowance (OAA; including the Guangdong (GD) Scheme and the Fujian (FJ) Scheme), the Old Age Living Allowance (OALA; including Normal OALA and Higher OALA) and the Disability Allowance (DA; including Normal DA and Higher DA) under the Social Security Allowance (SSA) Scheme this Friday (June 15).
     
     A spokesman for the SWD said today (June 12) that the arrangement was one of the measures announced in the 2018-19 Budget to share the fruits of economic success with the community. Recipients who were eligible for social security payment on May 10 (the date of the passage of the Appropriation Bill 2018) will be eligible for the one-off extra allowance. For CSSA recipients, the amount of the one-off extra allowance is equivalent to two months' standard rate payable to different categories of recipients under the CSSA Scheme. Recipients of the OAA (including the GD Scheme and the FJ Scheme), the OALA (including Normal OALA and Higher OALA) and the DA (including the Normal DA and Higher DA) will receive an additional two months' allowance. 
 
     Separately, the Legislative Council has approved the funding for the Caring and Sharing Scheme. Under the Scheme, for recipients of social security payments who receive one-off extra allowance less than $4,000, the SWD will provide a "top up" payment to make up to $4,000. Specifically, the arrangement is applicable to the following social security payments in general:
 

     The SWD has been allocated $7.447 billion for implementing the arrangements. The one-off extra allowance (including the "top up" payment mentioned above) will be paid through the existing CSSA or SSA payment method, i.e. normally through bank payment credited to the designated bank accounts of the recipients. Recipients are not required to make an application. 
           
     For enquiries, recipients may call the SWD hotline at 2343 2255 or contact the respective Social Security Field Unit.

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 (June 12) that due to inclement weather, red flags have been hoisted at Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Police yesterday (June 11) held the Regional Traffic Day on the Hong Kong Island to raise public awareness of road safety through stringent enforcement actions.

     A total of 292 officers from Traffic Hong Kong Island and District Traffic Teams of Eastern, Wan Chai, Central and Western Districts were deployed to take enforcement actions at traffic black spots on the Hong Kong Island.

     The operation resulted in the issue of 1 221 fixed penalty tickets and 46 summonses. Among the fixed penalty tickets and summonses issued, a total of 1,026 fixed penalty tickets were issued for illegal parking and the rest are for other traffic offences.

     Police figures revealed that a total of 1 212 traffic accidents involving casualties occurred on the Hong Kong Island in the first five months of 2018, of which 335 cases involved pedestrian injuries.

     Police will continue to take regular enforcement actions to ensure road safety.

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 (June 12) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Lower Cheung Sha Beach in Islands District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.