The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 25) urged the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene as the local activity of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and enterovirus (EV) 71 infection has been increasing in the past two weeks.

     According to the CHP's surveillance data, the number of institutional HFMD outbreaks recorded increased from five (affecting 23 persons) to 14 (affecting 60 persons) from the week of May 6 to that of May 13. As of yesterday (May 24), 15 outbreaks involving 59 persons had been reported this week. In the last four weeks, most outbreaks occurred in kindergartens and child care centres as well as primary schools.
 
     As for EV71 infection, while only one case of infection was recorded per month in February and March this year, the number of cases increased to seven in May. As of yesterday, nine cases had been recorded this year.
 
     "HFMD occurs throughout the year. Apart from a summer peak from May to July, a smaller peak may also occur from October to December. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     "We have issued letters to doctors, child care centres, kindergartens and primary and secondary schools to alert them to the latest situation. Schools are reminded to follow the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases on preventive and control measures as well as management of outbreaks, which should be reported to the CHP for prompt follow-up," the spokesman added.

     Management of venues with play facilities should pay special attention to the CHP's Public Health Advice for Play Facilities on appropriate infection control in activities involving young children under 6 during the peak season.

     "We noted that HFMD activity in neighbouring areas such as Guangdong and Taiwan has also increased recently. Parents travelling with their children in the coming holidays or summer vacation should pay special attention to personal and environmental hygiene while attending play facilities or having close contact with other children," the spokesman added.

     To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:
 

• Maintain good air circulation;
• Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
• Clean children's toys and other objects thoroughly and frequently with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of household bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 99 parts of water), followed by rinsing or wiping with clean water;
• Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted;
• Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
• Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.

     The CHP's weekly report, EV SCAN (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/21639.html), is issued every Friday to report the latest local situation of HFMD. The public may also visit the CHP's page on HFMD and EV71 infection for more information.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) held a meeting today (May 25) with members of the Tsuen Wan District Council (DC) at the LegCo Complex to discuss and exchange views on matters of mutual interest.

     During the meeting, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on launching a study on the construction of Tuen Mun-Tsuen Wan-Shatin Monorail; reprovisioning the Rambler Channel Public Cargo Working Area; cancellation and freezing of bank accounts by banks; strengthening law enforcement against illegal road racing along Castle Peak Road; tackling the occupation of the metered parking spaces for business purpose; shortening the waiting time for specialist out-patient services at public hospitals; as well as improving bus services in Tsing Lung Tau.

     The meeting was convened by Mr Frankie Yick and attended by Mr Tommy Cheung, Ms Starry Lee, Mrs Regina Ip, Mr Michael Tien, Mr Yiu Si-wing, Mr Leung Che-cheung, Ms Alice Mak, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Chu Hoi-dick, Dr Junius Ho, Mr Holden Chow, Mr Shiu Ka-chun, Mr Luk Chung-hung, Mr Lau Kwok-fan, Dr Cheng Chung-tai and Mr Tony Tse.

      

     The Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Security, Mr Chan Hak-kan, reviewed the 182nd Fire Services passing-out parade for 25 station officers, 21 ambulance officers, 10 senior firemen of the Mobilising and Communications Group, 62 firemen and 46 ambulancemen at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy today (May 25).
 
     Speaking at the parade, Mr Chan commended the Fire Services Department (FSD) as an outstanding disciplined force, which has been striving to safeguard the city. He said, "Over one and a half centuries, the FSD has been dedicated to its duties to safeguard Hong Kong, and protect life and property from fire and other calamities. With exceptional bravery and an unwavering spirit, the FSD personnel have been saving those in distress, regardless of danger or difficulty. Their selfless contributions and commitment, from generation to generation, have led a brigade of some 100 personnel to become today's elite force with international acclaim."
 
     He encouraged the graduates to uphold the fine tradition of the FSD and fulfil its mission of "Serving with courage, passion and commitment". To tie in with the development of the FSD, the graduates also should pursue self-enhancement and enrich their professional knowledge as well as operational experience, with the aim of providing the community with top-notch fire and ambulance services, he added.
 
     Mr Chan noted that in response to society's development, the FSD has established a number of specialist teams to enhance rescue capabilities and operational safety of front-line personnel. The well-equipped facilities and comprehensive training programmes of the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy also enable the department to nurture more outstanding fire and ambulance personnel to serve the community.
 
     The parade was followed by a demonstration of firefighting and rescue techniques by the graduates. The 164 graduates will be posted to the Fire Services Communications Centre as well as various fire stations and ambulance depots.

        

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (May 25) that temporary special traffic arrangements will be implemented during the initial period upon the commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) to ensure smooth traffic at the HZMB Hong Kong Port, Hong Kong International Airport and Tung Chung to assist members of the public to go to those areas.

     According to the road network design of the HZMB Hong Kong Port, vehicles can arrive at the Hong Kong Port via the Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) or the newly built and existing roads (including the North Lantau Highway) on the Airport Island (see Annex). Since the Southern Connection of the TM-CLKL will not be commissioned during the initial period upon the commissioning of the HZMB, cross-boundary or local vehicles travelling between the Hong Kong Port and the urban area will be required to go through the roads on the Airport Island. At present, the Highways Department is striving for early completion of the mainline of the Southern Connection of the TM-CLKL, i.e. the section connecting the North Lantau Highway (urban bound). The mainline is expected to be completed this year. Travelling time for vehicles going to the HZMB Hong Kong Port can then be shortened as vehicles will be no longer required to go through the roads on the Airport Island.
 
     To strengthen the preparedness for the increased traffic flow during the initial period upon the commissioning of the HZMB and to take precautionary measures to minimise the impact of traffic incidents on the relevant roads, after consulting parties such as the relevant government departments and the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the following temporary special traffic arrangements will be implemented to allow some of the cross-boundary and local vehicles to use individual connecting roads in an orderly manner:

(1) The Closed Road Permit will be issued in phases to quota applicants of Hong Kong dual-plate cross-boundary private cars using the HZMB. Specifically, the TD will issue no more than 5 000 permits before the commissioning of the HZMB, no more than a further 3 000 permits three months after the commissioning, and the remaining permits after the commissioning of the mainline of the Southern Connection of the TM-CLKL, progressively increasing the number of cross-boundary private cars using the connecting roads.

     Starting from May 28, the TD will only accept quota applicants to submit permit applications by post or drop-in box. Quota holders of HZMB cross-boundary private cars who have not submitted applications should submit the application form together with the relevant supporting documents (except for the original copy of the electronic Mainland Approval Notice, applicants need only submit the photocopies of both sides of the electronic approval notice card) by post or drop-in box;

(2) Dual-plate cross-boundary private cars under respective quotas for using other crossings (i.e. Shenzhen Bay, Lok Ma Chau (Huanggang), Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok) will be allowed to use the HZMB without the need to go through additional procedures on a trial basis only after the commissioning of the mainline of the South Connection of the TM- CLKL;

(3) Some of the construction vehicles going to the Hong Kong Port and Hong Kong International Airport for major works projects are restricted to use the connecting roads in the vicinity of the airport and Lantau Island during the non-peak hours only;

(4) If necessary, franchised buses travelling to and from the Hong Kong Port will be re-routed to use the connecting roads with lower traffic projections; and

(5) Traffic management measures will be taken proactively with the Police for traffic diversion and control.

     The implementation of the above temporary special traffic arrangements aims to ensure smooth traffic at the HZMB during the initial period upon its commissioning. The impact of such arrangements is expected to be minimal and temporary.

     Upon the completion of the mainline of the Southern Connection of the TM-CLKL, the TD will adjust the aforesaid special traffic arrangements subject to the actual traffic situation and make announcements immediately. Commuters travelling to the Hong Kong Port are also advised to use public transport services as far as possible.

     After the completion of the remaining works of the TM-CLKL, the TD will gradually increase the number of Hong Kong cross-boundary vehicles having regard to the capacity of the Hong Kong Port and the connecting road network to better utilise the HZMB and tie in with the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, with a view to maximising the social, economic and traffic benefits of the HZMB.

     The Labour Department launched prosecution against an employer for failing to pay periodical payments in accordance with the requirements of the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (ECO). The employer earlier pleaded guilty at Shatin Magistrates' Courts and was fined $60,000 today (May 25).

     A floorboard worker sustained multiple burn injuries while working on May 15, 2015. The employer failed to pay periodical payments to the employee on the normal paydays or within seven days thereafter as required by the ECO.

     Section 10(10) of the ECO stipulates that during a period of temporary incapacity, the employer shall pay the injured employee periodical payments at the rate of four-fifths of the difference between the employee's monthly earnings at the time of the accident and his or her monthly earnings during the period of temporary incapacity.

     The periodical payments are payable on the injured employee's normal paydays. An employer who, without reasonable excuse, fails to pay within seven days after the due day commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $100,000.