Hongkong Post today (May 18) reminded the public to ensure that their mail items have sufficient postage affixed before posting.

     Following the adjustment of principal postage rates that took effect in January this year, Hongkong Post has continued to detect a fair amount of underpaid mail items.

     "Since mid-May, there has been a significant increase in mail items bearing underpaid postage detected, including many green envelopes which are believed to be tax returns," a Hongkong Post spokesman said.

     "Insufficient postage will lead to delay in delivery and a surcharge being levied. If the deficient postage and surcharge are not paid by the sender or the addressee within 14 working days, the mail items will be destroyed.

     "Tax returns without sufficient postage and a return address will be destroyed after the 14-day period has expired.

     "We would thus like to remind the public again that the principal postage for local letters weighing up to 30 grams has been revised to $2 since January, and urge the public to affix sufficient postage before sending their mail items," the spokesman said. 

     The prevailing postage rates, a postage calculator and a "Correct Addressing" tool are available on the Hongkong Post website (www.hongkongpost.hk) and the Hongkong Post mobile app.

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (May 18) urged the public not to consume a batch of a bottled alcoholic drink imported from Japan due to possible damage of the bottle rims. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

     Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Not available in English
Place of origin: Japan
Manufacturer: Hakutsuru Sake Brewing Co Ltd
Importer: Nansen Trading Co (HK) Ltd
Volume: 720 millilitres per bottle
Lot code: HBZG/UP

     A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS, through its routine Food Incident Surveillance System, noted that the above-mentioned product is under recall in Japan and Macao due to possible damage of the bottle rims. The CFS immediately followed up with major local importers, retailers and the Japanese authorities concerned. According to the information provided by the Japanese authorities, a local importer, Nansen Trading Co (HK) Ltd, had imported the affected batch of the product into Hong Kong."
 
     The spokesman said that according to the information provided by the importer concerned, it had imported 25 cartons (a total of 150 bottles) of the affected batch of the product, of which seven cartons were distributed and the remaining stock was stored in its warehouse. The importer has removed from shelves and stopped sale of the affected product and initiated a recall. Members of the public may call the hotline of the importer at 2546 6680 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

     The spokesman urged members of the public not to consume the affected batch of the product if they have purchased any. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

     The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, continue to follow up and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, visited Yau Tsim Mong District today (May 18), where he called at facilities providing services for persons with intellectual disabilities (PIDs), ex-offenders and those in need, and met with District Council members. The Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Caspar Tsui, also joined the visit.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of Yau Tsim Mong District Council (YTMDC), Mr Chris Ip, the District Officer (Yau Tsim Mong), Mrs Laura Aron, and the District Social Welfare Officer (Kowloon City/Yau Tsim Mong), Ms Nancy Kwan, Dr Law paid a visit to the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong Yaumatei Day Activity Centre. The centre provides day training services for PIDs and helps in referring trained participants with better working capabilities to sheltered workshops or supported employment services. The centre also operates Extended Care Programme for elderly trainees or those with deteriorating health conditions.

     Dr Law toured the centre's physiotherapy and occupational therapy training activities and chatted with trainees receiving art and craft training.

     He then proceeded to the SOUK housing unit of the Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, Hong Kong, in Yau Ma Tei. The unit provides transitional housing for ex-offenders in need with a lower than market rent. Dr Law was pleased to note that the project not only offers a better living environment for ex-offenders, but also provides counselling and support by social workers to help them re-integrate into society.

     He also went to the Mong Kok Kai Fong Association Chan Hing Social Service Centre to learn more about its integrated community services for the elderly, women, youths and new arrivals, and observed its elderly interest classes, central kitchen facility, after-school care programme and homework guidance service.

     Before concluding his visit, Dr Law visited YTMDC and met with members to learn more about the latest developments and issues of concern in the district and to exchange views on district matters.

                

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements on Hong Kong Island on May 22 (Tuesday) to facilitate members of the public to celebrate the Tam Kung Festival.

Shau Kei Wan
————

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 6.30am to 6.30pm:

A. Road closure

– Shau Kei Wan Main Street East between Factory Street and Tung Hei Road, except for trams;
– Tam Kung Temple Road;
– A Kung Ngam Village Road between Tung Hei Road and A Kung Ngam Road, except for franchised buses;
– Westbound Tung Hei Road between its eastern junction with A Kung Ngam Village Road and Mong Lung Street, except for franchised buses;
– Eastbound Tung Hei Road between its eastern junction with A Kung Ngam Village Road and Oi Lai Street;
– Eastbound Oi Lai Street between Oi Yin Street and Tung Hei Road;
– Wang Wa Street;
– Factory Street between Shau Kei Wan Main Street East and Wang Wa Street;
– Eastbound Factory Street between Mong Lung Street and Shau Kei Wan Main Street East; and
– Kam Wa Street between Mong Lung Street and Wang Wa Street.

B. Traffic diversions

– Traffic along eastbound Tung Hei Road and Aldrich Bay Road heading for A Kung Ngam or Chai Wan will be diverted via Mong Lung Street, Factory Street, Aldrich Street and Chai Wan Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Island Eastern Corridor heading for A Kung Ngam will be diverted via Nam On Lane, Shau Kei Wan Road, Chai Wan Road and A Kung Ngam Road.

C. Suspension of parking spaces

– Metered parking spaces on Wang Wa Street;
– Metered parking spaces on Kam Wa Street between Mong Lung Street and Wang Wa Street; and
– Motorcycle parking spaces and disabled parking spaces on Kam Wa Street.

Tai Hang
——–

     The following roads will be intermittently closed from 8.30am until the crowd is dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Wun Sha Street;
– School Street;
– Lai Yin Street;
– Second Lane;
– Warren Street;
– Sun Chun Street; and
– Ormsby Street.
     
     Vehicles may not be permitted to leave car parks along the closed roads during the road closure period.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements to facilitate a public procession to be held on Hong Kong Island on May 21 (Monday).

Road closure
————

     The following roads will be intermittently closed from noon until the crowd is dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Northbound Ventris Road;
– Blue Pool Road;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Sing Woo Road;
– Shan Kwong Road;
– Westbound Village Road;
– Yuk Sau Street;
– Tsap Tseung Street;
– King Kwong Street;
– Yik Yam Street;
– Tsoi Tak Street;
– Mui Hing Street;
– Chun Shing Street; and
– Kwai Fong Street.

     Vehicles may not be permitted to leave car parks along the procession route during the road closure period.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.