Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 21) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 21) reminded the public, particularly the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health in view of the cold weather.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that cold weather can easily trigger or exacerbate diseases, especially among the elderly and persons suffering from heart disease, respiratory illness or other chronic illnesses.

     "Elderly people have less insulating fat beneath their skin to keep them warm and their body temperature control mechanism may be weaker. Their body may not be able to appropriately respond to the cold weather," the spokesman said.

     Some senior persons may have decreased mobility, which can in turn impair their ability to generate and conserve body heat. Chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes and endocrine disorders may undermine the health of elderly people and lower their metabolic rate, subsequently causing their body to generate less heat. Persons with chronic illnesses such as chronic respiratory illnesses or heart disease are vulnerable to disease aggravation due to cold weather.

     The CHP reminded the public, in particular the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to adopt the following preventive measures:
 

• Take note of the weather forecast. Wear warm clothing, including hats, scarves, gloves and socks accordingly;
• Consume sufficient food to ensure adequate calorie intake;
• Perform regular exercise to facilitate blood circulation and heat production;
• Stay in a warm environment and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure;
• Use heaters with care, and maintain adequate indoor ventilation; and
• Seek medical advice if feeling unwell.

     In addition, the public should avoid alcoholic beverages.

     "Drinking alcohol cannot keep you warm. Alcohol accelerates the loss of body heat through dilated blood vessels, resulting in chilling instead," the spokesman said.

     "Parents should ensure that babies are sufficiently warm, but it is also important to keep babies relatively lightly clothed to avoid overheating them," the spokesman added.

     Parents should observe the following safety measures when putting their children to bed:  

• Keep the room well ventilated and at a comfortable temperature;
• Always place babies on their back to sleep. Leave their head, face and arms uncovered during sleep;
• Babies do not need pillows. Place babies on a firm and well-fitted mattress to sleep. Avoid soft objects, pillows and loose bedding;
• Let babies sleep in a cot placed in the parents' room and near their bed; and
• Maintain a smoke-free environment.

 
     In addition, seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccination early. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website.
      
     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. Influenza vaccination may reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation and the length of stay. It is important for elderly persons, especially those residing in residential care homes, to receive both seasonal influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination. They should also receive an additional booster against COVID-19 according to recommendations as soon as possible. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against respiratory illnesses and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

    
     Food-borne diseases, particularly those linked to hot pot cuisine, are also common in cold weather. The following preventive measures should be taken:
 

• Wash hands before handling and consuming food;
• Do not patronise unlicensed vendors or those with poor hygienic standards while selecting food;
• Wash and cook all food thoroughly;
• Vegetables should be washed thoroughly in clean running water before cooking and consumption. When appropriate, scrub vegetables with hard surfaces with a clean brush to remove dirt and substances, including pesticide residues and contaminants, from the surface and crevices;
• Shrimps should be fully cooked until the shells turn red and the flesh turns white and opaque;
• For shellfish such as scallops and geoduck, scrub the shells thoroughly and remove internal organs;
• Most hot pot ingredients should be stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees Celsius or below, while frozen food should be stored in a freezer at -18 degrees C or below;
• Never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce for hot pot; and
• Use different sets of chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination.

     In addition, when using fuel-burning appliances, especially in indoor areas, the public should ensure adequate ventilation to avoid harmful exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and prevent CO poisoning.

     For more health information, the public may call the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) or visit the CHP's website and Facebook Fanpage.

     The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit the website of the Hong Kong Observatory for the latest weather information and forecast, or its page on Weather Information for Senior Citizens.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Cold Weather Warning is in force:

     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Cold Weather Warning is in force, they should take appropriate precautions such as reminding employees who have to work outdoors or in remote areas to wear appropriately warm clothing, and make arrangements for employees to rotate from outdoor to indoor or sheltered work sites as far as possible. Employees should take note of the weather report, wear appropriately warm clothing and be mindful of their health conditions. They should notify their supervisors and seek medical help immediately if feeling unwell, such as having cold limbs and body shivering.

     Police are investigating a murder happened in Yuen Long in the small hours yesterday (December 20) in which a 48-year-old man died.

     At 4.18am yesterday, Police received a report that the man suspectedly had a dispute with two women inside a taxi outside 17 Ma Miu Road. During the incident, someone allegedly attacked the man with a sharp object. The two women then fled.

     Police officers sped to the scene and found the man collapsed inside the taxi. Sustaining chest injuries, he was rushed to Pok Oi Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 5.47am.

     District Crime Squad of Yuen Long District took up the case. After in-depth investigation, officers arrested a 36-year-old mainland woman for murder in Tin Shui Wai at around 7am yesterday. Additionally, at around 8am and 7pm on the same day, a 37-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man were arrested respectively in the same district for assisting offender with intent to impede apprehension or prosecution.

     All arrestees are being detained for further enquiries.

     A knife in suspected connection with the case was seized. The operation is still ongoing. Police do not rule out the possibility that more arrests will be made.

     Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.      

     Active investigation by the District Crime Squad of Yuen Long District is still underway. Anyone who witnessed the case or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 4643.

     The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, leading a delegation of the Development Bureau, continued her visit to Shanghai today (December 20), together with a delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Development.
      
     The delegation called on the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Housing, Urban-Rural Development and Management (SMCHURDM) this morning. They met and exchanged views with the Director-General of the SMCHURDM, Mr Hu Guangjie; Deputy Director-General of the SMCHURDM Mr Jin Chen, and other responsible officials on various issues, including urban planning and management, redevelopment of old areas, emergency response and flood prevention works, riverside development and built heritage conservation. Ms Linn said that Hong Kong and Shanghai are facing similar challenges on urban planning, redevelopment of old areas and building of liveable city. During the process, various needs of the society should be taken care of. The exchange of views allowed the delegations to learn from the rich experience of SMCHURDM.
      
     In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Lingang Special Area to ride in autopilot vehicles and smart public transport. They met with the Deputy Director of Lingang Special Area Administration, Mr Tang Hao, and other responsible officials to learn about the overall planning and development approach of the Lingang Special Area, including institutional innovation, data sharing, smart city management and division of work between enterprises and the government.
      
     The delegation will continue their visit to Shanghai tomorrow (December 21).