SCS grieves over passing of fireman

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, today (January 19) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of a fireman, Mr Yau Yiu-man, who was sent to hospital due to discomfort during his work at Penny's Bay and then passed away. She extended her deepest condolences to Mr Yau's family.
 
     Mr Yau served the Fire Services Department (FSD) for over 31 years. The Civil Service Bureau is in contact with the FSD to make every effort to help the family during this sad and difficult period.




Pig culling operation on Yuen Long pig farm with pigs found with ASF virus completed

     â€‹Regarding the incident announced on January 14 where samples of pigs from a Yuen Long pig farm tested positive for African Swine Fever (ASF), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) launched a culling operation on January 16 on the farm concerned. The operation was completed today (January 19).

     An AFCD spokesman said, "According to the contingency plan on ASF, the AFCD has sent staff to cull and handle a total of 1 393 pigs on the licensed farm in San Tin, Yuen Long, since January 16. The operation was completed today. All culled and handled pigs were sent to the West New Territories Landfill for dumping according to established procedures."

     The spokesman further said, "The AFCD will arrange thorough cleaning and disinfection of the farm, and has notified the World Organisation for Animal Health of this incident. An investigation and tracing of the source of the virus in collaboration with international experts is under way."

     There are eight pig farms within 3 kilometres of this index farm, and transport of any pigs from them is suspended for the sake of prudence. The AFCD will arrange veterinary inspections of the pig farms in the area and collect further samples from pigs for ASF virus testing as appropriate. If no abnormal health condition is noted regarding the pigs and all samples have tested negative for the ASF virus, pigs on these pig farms would be allowed to be transported to slaughterhouses.

     The AFCD will continue to keep local pig farms under close surveillance as well as conducting tests if necessary. The AFCD has also reminded all farmers to ensure that good biosecurity measures have been properly implemented and alert the Department immediately if an abnormal health condition is observed in pigs. Meanwhile, AFCD staff are currently inspecting all local licensed pig farms in phases to ensure good biosecurity measures have been properly implemented. Surveillance of the activities of wild pigs in the vicinity of the index farm has also been stepped up.

     Moreover, the AFCD has implemented an emergency measure on handling dead pigs on local pig farms on the advice of an international veterinary expert since January 3. All farms are required to collect and submit to the AFCD nasal swab samples from pig carcasses for ASF virus testing. Disposal of carcasses can only be arranged by the farms upon confirmation of a negative result.  

     The spokesman said, "The AFCD has implemented a series of measures. (1) The AFCD collaborated with an international veterinary expert to provide guidelines on biosecurity measures for local pig farms earlier. (2) The AFCD has further explained and provided training to the industry to facilitate prompt implementation and strict observation of the biosecurity measures specific to their pig farms, thereby effectively containing the spread of ASF on local pig farms on different levels. (3) In order to strengthen the knowledge of local pig farmers of the clinical signs of ASF for early detection and reporting of abnormality of pigs, the AFCD has launched the Guidelines for Reporting Cases of African Swine Fever to assist pig farmers in identifying suspected cases for early reporting and to take appropriate follow-up. (4) AFCD staff have been distributing sampling materials and protective clothing to all local pig farms. (5) AFCD staff are keeping close communication with pig farmers to update them on the latest situation of ASF via SMS groups."

     The spokesman stressed that ASF is not a zoonotic disease and will not infect humans, hence does not present any food safety risk. Pork cooked thoroughly is safe for consumption. Members of the public do not need to be concerned. The incident does not affect the operation of local slaughterhouses nor the overall supply of live pigs.




17 landlords of subdivided units under regulated tenancies convicted of failing to submit Notice of Tenancy within prescribed period

     Seventeen landlords of subdivided units (SDUs) who contravened Part IVA of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) pleaded guilty for failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation (the Commissioner) within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced, and were fined a total of $32,000 today (January 19) at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts.  One of the landlords who contravened a total of eight offences was fined $6,400. Since the Ordinance has come into force, a total of 104 SDU landlords have been convicted of contravening the Ordinance.  
 
     The Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) earlier discovered that the landlords failed to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance. Upon in-depth investigations and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted against the landlords.
 
     A spokesman for the RVD hopes that these convictions will send a strong message to SDU landlords that they must comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance, and also reminds SDU tenants of their rights under the Ordinance. He also stresses that the RVD will continue to take resolute enforcement action against any contraventions of the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. In particular, the RVD has been requiring landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether the landlords concerned have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD's request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Depending on the actual circumstances and having regard to the information and evidence collected, the RVD will take appropriate actions on individual cases, including instigating prosecutions against suspected contravention of the Ordinance.
 
     The RVD spokesman appeals to members of the public to come forward and report to the RVD promptly any suspected cases of contravening the relevant requirements. This would help curb illegal acts as soon as possible. Reporting can be made through the telephone hotline (2150 8303), by email (enquiries@rvd.gov.hk), by fax (2116 4920), by post (15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon), or in person (visiting the Tenancy Services Section office of the RVD at Room 3816-22, 38/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, please call 2150 8303 to make an appointment). Furthermore, the RVD has provided a form (Form AR4) (www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/en/forms/ar4.pdf) on its website to facilitate SDU tenants' reporting to the RVD.
 
     The RVD reminds that pursuant to the Ordinance, a regulated cycle of regulated tenancies is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies (i.e. the first-term tenancy and second-term tenancy) for an SDU, and the term of each regulated tenancy is two years. A tenant of a first-term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second-term tenancy of the regulated cycle, thus enjoying a total of four years of security of tenure. Since the first batch of regulated tenancies is about to approach their second-term tenancies, the RVD has started a new round of publicity and education work in order to assist SDU landlords and tenants to understand the important matters pertaining to the second-term tenancy, and procedures that need to be followed about two months prior to the commencement of the purported second-term tenancy. In addition, the RVD started to issue letters enclosing relevant information to the concerned landlords and tenants of regulated tenancies by batches, according to the expiry time of their first-term tenancies, to remind them about their respective obligations and rights under the Ordinance. These landlords and tenants may also visit the dedicated page for the second-term tenancy on the RVD's website (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/tenancy_matters/second_term_tenancy.html) for the relevant information, including a concise guide, brochures, tutorial videos and frequently asked questions, etc. SDU landlords and tenants are also advised to familiarise themselves with the relevant statutory requirements and maintain close communication regarding the second-term tenancy for handling the matters properly and in a timely manner according to the Ordinance.
 
     For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the telephone hotline (2150 8303) or visit the RVD's webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.html) for the relevant information.




Secretary for Health visits School of Medicine of Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (with photos)

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the School of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) today (January 19).

     Professor Lo met with the Founding Dean of the School, Professor Davy Cheng, and received a briefing on the School's efforts in teaching and scientific research, as well as its future development plans. Professor Lo then visited two research laboratories led by Nobel Laureates, namely the Arieh Warshel Institute of Computational Biology and the Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, to learn about their research outcomes in various areas and talent strengths. He also visited the direct affiliated hospital of CUHK-Shenzhen, currently under construction.

     â€‹Professor Lo and his team also took the opportunity to get a better grasp of the latest developments in healthcare services and medical talent training in Shenzhen, with a view to further enhancing the exchange and co-operation between the two places.

     Professor Lo said, "Under the principle of complementarity and mutual benefits, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strives to drive the city's healthcare exchanges and collaboration with the Mainland on all fronts, particularly on nurturing medical talent and advancing research in medical technology, with a view to enhancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare services of both places to give a strong impetus for building 'Healthy China'." 

     The Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee; the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Tony Ko, accompanied Professor Lo on the visit today.

Photo  Photo  Photo  Photo  Photo  Photo  



DSJ to attend forum on China-Uzbekistan co-operation in Xinjiang

     The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, in his capacity as the head of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation, will depart for Urumqi, Xinjiang, tomorrow (January 20) to attend a forum on China-Uzbekistan co-operation.

     Mr Cheung said that it was an honour to lead the HKSAR delegation to attend the forum. Hong Kong's participation in the forum under the country's support fully demonstrates the city's commitment to contribute to the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative as advocated by the country.

     The HKSAR delegation includes representatives from the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the business sector.

     Mr Cheung will return to Hong Kong on January 22.