Tag Archives: China

     The Transport Department (TD) said today (December 27) that the operation of the HKeToll has been generally smooth since its implementation at the Aberdeen Tunnel from 5am last Sunday (December 24).

     The TD’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre has been closely monitoring the traffic situation at the Aberdeen Tunnel. The overall traffic flow has been smooth in general and motorists can adapt to the new traffic arrangements.

     From 0.00am to 5pm today, a total of about 38 000 vehicles passed through the Aberdeen Tunnel. Among them, about 92 per cent of the vehicles were detected with vehicle tags installed, and about 72 per cent of the vehicles used an automatic payment means. With the implementation of the HKeToll in all government toll tunnels, the TD once again appeals to vehicle owners who have received vehicle tags to complete the three steps for the HKeToll service as soon as possible: (1) install a vehicle tag, (2) open an HKeToll account and (3) set up an automatic payment means, so as to fully enjoy the convenience of the HKeToll.

     The TD reminds that vehicle owners must pay the toll within 14 business days after passing through the tunnel. They can log on to the HKeToll website (hketoll.gov.hk) or mobile app to check and pay the outstanding tolls. The HKeToll website provides a video to guide vehicle owners on how to set up the automatic payment means and pay tolls online. Payments of tolls can also be made at the four customer service centres and four service outlets. If vehicle owners have any enquiries about setting up an automatic payment means, paying a toll or the other HKeToll services, they can call the 24-hour customer service hotline at 3853 7333 or visit the customer service centres, service outlets or consultation counters at designated MTR stations (service will be provided until January 31, 2024). The staff will provide appropriate assistance. The locations and service hours of the above-mentioned facilities are in Annex 1.
 
     Motorists should note that late payments will incur a surcharge of $175, and that the maximum penalty for evading tolls is a fine of $5,000 (per trip), and the licence of the vehicle concerned will not be renewed.
 
     In addition, since the HKeToll is implemented in all government toll tunnels, Government Tunnel Toll Tickets (toll tickets) are no longer accepted. Holders of toll tickets may apply for refunds at the eight refund centres located at car parks until June 30, 2024. The locations and service hours of the refund centres are shown in Annex 2. Applicants should fill in the application form in advance and bring along the toll tickets for refund. Those applying for a refund for a large quantity of toll tickets are advised to contact the contractor by email (info@wilsonparking.com.hk) or call 2830 3814 in advance to facilitate arrangements for the necessary assistance.  read more

     In response to the Japanese Government’s plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt, and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on December 22 to noon today (December 27), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 347 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the “aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt” category, in the past five days (including last Saturday and Sunday and this Monday and Tuesday). No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS’s thematic website titled “Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan” (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).
 
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO’s website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24 to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 22 042 samples of food imported from Japan (including 14 673 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 6 216 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 27) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
 
     From December 17 to 23, two community-acquired LD cases were reported:
 
1. A male patient, aged 71 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Tin Kin House, Tin Wan Estate, Southern District; and
2. A female patient, aged 77 with good past health, who lives in Tower 13, Ocean Shores, Tseung Kwan O.

     “Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     As of December 23, 119 LD cases had been reported this year. In 2022 and 2021, there were 80 and 69 cases respectively.
 
     “Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels,” the spokesman said.
 
     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
 
     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily. 

    
     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes: 

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.  read more

     Police reclassified a body found case happened in Sheung Shui on December 23 as manslaughter, preventing the lawful burial of a body and trafficking in dangerous drugs case, in which a 22-year-old man died.      At around 8.15am on Decemb… read more

     The Government launched today (December 27) the “18111 – Mental Health Support Hotline” to provide one-stop, round-the-clock support for people with mental health needs, rendering them immediate mental health support and referral services.
 
     Addressing the kick-off ceremony of the Mental Health Support Hotline today, the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, “The Government has been taking a comprehensive approach in promoting public mental health. To tender timely support to people who are in mental distress or with mental health needs, the Government introduced the Mental Health Support Hotline which is, for the very first time, fully funded by the Government to co-ordinate existing counselling services provided by the Government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), allowing those in need to obtain assistance through calling an easy-to-recall phone number.”
 
     The Mental Health Support Hotline operates all year round with dedicated personnel answering the phone 24 hours a day, providing immediate support and counselling services to members of the public from all backgrounds and of all ages. Callers will also be referred to the most appropriate organisations depending on the nature of individual cases. The Mental Health Support Hotline co-ordinates about 20 related organisations to provide comprehensive mental support services to the public.
 
     Professor Lo said, “We hope that anyone who encounters mental health needs will immediately recall this phone number 18111 and take the Mental Health Support Hotline as their first point for seeking assistance. Should any of your family members or friends have mental health needs, please encourage them to call the Mental Health Support Hotline. The carers themselves can also make use of this hotline to seek timely support. We stand ready to chat and we are all ears.
 
     “The Government has picked this easy-to-recall hotline number with special thoughts. Simply remember that the ‘18111 – Mental Health Support Hotline’ attends to mental health needs from all ’18’ districts in Hong Kong and ‘one’ who needs help will get ‘one’-stop support just by calling ‘one’ dedicated hotline.”
 
     The hotline was one of the initiatives put forward in “The Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address” to step up efforts in promoting mental health and bringing more happiness to citizens. From conceptualisation to implementation, the Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH) has given ample suggestions to ensure that the hotline can best meet the needs of those in mental distress.
 
     The Chairman of the ACMH, Dr Lam Ching-choi, and former Chairman Mr Wong Yan-lung, SC, also officiated at the kick-off ceremony. Moreover, the two ACMH chairmen had an on-site interactive session to talk about the rationales behind the setting-up of the hotline and the work done to make it happen, as well as how the hotline will help support the public in a more effective manner.
 
     Dr Lam said, “Through this hotline, we hope to provide comprehensive services to the callers while garnering information on their mental health needs. As such, we will have more data-based evidences to deepen and optimise our services when planning future initiatives so as to come up with more responsive support measures for persons in need.”
 
     Mr Wong said, “When one is in mental distress, an easy-to-recall phone number widely recognised in the community can very possibly be a way out.  There are relevant successful experiences overseas as well. I call on the community to help promote this ‘18111 – Mental Health Support Hotline’ so that people can get access to prompt support when they are in mental need.”
 
     Members of the Legislative Council and the ACMH as well as representatives from a number of NGOs and mental and emotional support service groups also showed up at the kick-off ceremony today in support of promoting mental health.
 
     Another mental health initiative introduced in “The Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address” was the setting-up of a service centre on a trial basis to provide emotional support and counselling services for ethnic minorities. The service centre located in Jordan will start serving ethnic minorities from tomorrow (December 28). Supported by a multi-professional team comprising social workers, counsellors and support staff conversant in ethnic minority languages, the service centre provides emotional support and counselling services to ethnic minorities and refers cases to other service platforms for additional support and/or treatment if needed. Operated by the Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation Limited, the service centre opens from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday and offers counselling services beyond these hours when necessary. Members of the public can call the centre hotline at 9682 3100 for information, or visit the website www.zubinfoundation.org/our-work/ethnic-minority-well-being-centre/ to learn more about the service centre.

read more