Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (January 6):
 
Reporter: Some District Councils have been proposing measures such as night markets, check-in spots. How much would these help the local economy and also how would you respond to scholars comments that these ideas are somewhat similar and would lead to an overlap of resources?
 
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs: When you visit the community, what we always listen and get views from residents are that they want more activities and district-based events to be held in the community. They want to see a vibrant and energetic community. I think this is also a way to enhance the sense of belongings of our residents in the community. That is why the seventh term District Councils in their first meetings, they have proposed different ideas in organising various district-based activities in different districts. They are aiming to provide chances and opportunities for our residents to gather together to enjoy the festive atmosphere and boost up district-based economy. I think this will definitely help stimulate consumption in the district and help the business in the community.
 
     Some may say that the nature of the activities are somewhat similar, but when you look into the list of activities, some are already well-established ones or have a long history of organising such activities in the community, like the traditional dragon dances during the Tin Hau festival or some traditional ceremonies during traditional festivals. The aim of the District Councils in organising these activities is to enhance publicity and to organise such activities in a more systematic and well established way, so that the community will learn about the already well-organised activities in various districts. As you can see from the list, some activities fall into the period of some traditional festive activities’ timing, and they are quite similar, but this will not hinder the participation from the community, rather, we can provide more chances and information about all these activities for our residents from different districts to choose a more convenient place or a more well-organised place to go. We are providing more choices for our residents and these activities themselves are not mutually exclusive. We are not saying that when some districts have already organised an activity or event, the other districts could not organise similar ones. We want to have an inclusive list and provide more alternatives and activities for our residents to enjoy during various festivals.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
 
 

     â€‹The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (January 6) officiated at the Second Phase Opening-up of Sha Tau Kok Launching Ceremony. Mr Lee visited special attractions in Sha Tau Kok and kicked off a dragon boat performance, adding impetus to the opening-up of Sha Tau Kok.
      
     Noting at the launching ceremony that the Second Phase Opening-up of Sha Tau Kok is a milestone in the long-term development of the district, he said that the Government and the Sha Tau Kok Rural Committee identified together the most distinguished characteristics of Sha Tau Kok and created the "top 10 attractions", "top 10 delicacies" and "top 10 cultural attractions", which have drawn many tourists since the opening-up on January 1 this year. He said that from conception, implementation to promotion of the new positioning, the attractions and facilities of Sha Tau Kok are the result of the collaborative endeavor across government bureaux and departments, the district and the industry.
      
     After the launching ceremony, Mr Lee, accompanied by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, visited the old Sha Tau Kok Fire Station, which still retains its former appearance, and unveiled a century-old fire-fighting hand cart. Mr Lee also visited the Sha Tak Kok Post Office and bought postcards featuring the winning entries of a Sha Tau Kok photo competition. He stamped a postcard with the unique cachets designed by the Security Bureau (SB) and mailed it to colleagues in the SB to thank them for their efforts in promoting the opening-up.
      
     Mr Lee later visited the "Dried Seafood Street" located inside the Sha Tau Kok Market and chatted with a stall operator who sells Sha Tau Kok local specialties such as dried seafood, rice crackers and cha kwo (steamed sticky rice dumpling) to learn more about the stall's business. Mr Lee also visited the Fish Lantern Square which displays scenes of the national intangible cultural heritage "Sha Tau Kok fish-lantern dance" and chatted with residents. He was briefed by Mr Tang on the implementation of the current phase of the opening-up and the new facilities.
      
     Next, Mr Lee arrived at the Sha Tau Kok Pier to kick off a dragon boat performance. He was greeted by the beating of drums from four dragon boat teams formed by the Hong Kong Police Force, the Immigration Department, the Customs and Excise Department and the Fire Services Department, as well as four dragon boat teams formed by residents of Sha Tau Kok. Mr Lee sounded the horn to mark the opening of the dragon boat performance in which the eight teams rowed together to the finish line, signifying the joint efforts in promoting the opening-up of Sha Tau Kok.
      
     The daily tourist quota under the Second Phase Opening-up of Sha Tau Kok includes 700 tour group visitors and 300 individual tourists. Tourists can visit all parts of Sha Tau Kok, except Chung Ying Street, from 7am to 9pm. Individual visitors can apply for a free electronic Tourism Closed Area Permit by logging onto the Hong Kong Police Force Online Applications Platform (www.es.police.gov.hk). The application process takes three working days. Tourists may also contact licensed travel agents directly to sign up for tours visiting Sha Tau Kok.
      
     Individual tourists are required to take public transport to Sha Tau Kok. Access by private vehicles is not allowed. Tourists may take the following transport options:
     (1) Bus route Nos. 78S (express) or 78K at MTR Sheung Shui Station or Fanling Station;
     (2) Minibus route No. 55K at MTR Sheung Shui Station and get off at the terminal; or
     (3) Bus route No. 277A at MTR Lam Tin Station.
      
     Please download the SB mobile application "Safeguard HK" to explore the "top 10 attractions", "top 10 delicacies" and "top 10 cultural attractions" of Sha Tau Kok. Tourists can participate in a limited-time stamp collection game to redeem a free gift via the mobile application on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has also launched a thematic website offering information of the opening-up of Sha Tau Kok.
      
     Other officiating guests at the launching ceremony included Mr Tang; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Chairman of the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk, Mr Kenneth Lau; Legislative Council Member Mr Yiu Pak-leung; the Commissioner for Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Dr Pang Yiu-kai; the Chairman of Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, Mrs Gianna Hsu; and the Chairman of the Sha Tau Kok District Rural Committee, Mr Lee Koon-hung.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 6) investigating a case of invasive meningococcal infection, a communicable disease transmitted by direct contact with droplets from carriers or infected persons.

     The case involves a 37-year-old male with good past health, who was admitted to a correctional institution in Southern District since early December last year. The patient was clinically stable until January 3 this year. He started to have signs of mental confusion and was immediately sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital on January 4. Later, the patient developed fever and was transferred to the intensive care unit for further treatment. His clinical diagnosis was meningitis. His cerebrospinal fluid sample tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis upon laboratory testing.

     The CHP is carrying out its epidemiological investigations and has arranged chemoprophylaxis for all close contacts, who have remained asymptomatic so far. The institution has also followed the advice by the CHP to immediately disinfect relevant environment. Investigation is continuing.

     "Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus. It is mainly transmitted by direct contact through respiratory secretions, including droplets from the nose and throat, from infected persons. The incubation period varies from two to 10 days, and is commonly three or four days," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The clinical pictures among the infected may vary. Severe illness may result when the bacteria invade the bloodstream (meningococcaemia) or the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis).

     Meningococcaemia is characterised by a sudden onset of fever, intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases. Meningococcal meningitis is characterised by high fever, severe headache and a stiff neck followed by drowsiness, vomiting, fear of bright light, or a rash. It can cause brain damage or even death. The brain damage may lead to intellectual impairment, mental retardation, hearing loss and electrolyte imbalance. Invasive meningococcal infection can be complicated by arthritis, inflammation of the heart muscle, inflammation of the posterior chamber of the eye or chest infection.

     Meningococcal infection is a serious illness. Patients should be treated promptly with antibiotics.

     To prevent meningococcal infection, members of the public are advised to take heed of the following measures:
 

• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing, and clean hands with alcohol-based handrub when they are not visibly soiled;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with a tissue, dispose of nasal and mouth discharge in a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands immediately;
• Avoid crowded places;
• Avoid close contact with patients who have a fever or severe headache;
• Travellers to high-risk areas may consult doctors for meningococcal vaccination; and
• Travellers returning from high-risk areas should seek medical advice if they become ill, and should discuss their recent travel history with their doctor.

     The public may visit the CHP's website for more information on meningococcal infection.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Yellow fire danger warning

     The fire danger situation today (January 6) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.

     Three charities have been issued Public Subscription Permits to hold flag sales from 7am to 12.30pm today (January 6). They are, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong Blind Union; in Kowloon, Asia Women's League Limited; and in the New Territories, Pentecostal Church of Hong Kong, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.
      
     Arrangements have been made with the charities to help people to distinguish among the three flag-selling activities.    
      
     Information on the three flag-selling organisations on January 6 is as follows:
 

 
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.
      
     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.