The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (November 23) released the latest maintenance cost information on lifts in private residential and commercial premises for public reference in choosing registered lift contractors.

     The EMSD had earlier engaged an independent consultant to conduct a sampling survey on the maintenance costs of lifts in private residential and commercial buildings in Hong Kong. The consultant analysed the data collected from some 8 890 lifts at about 2 250 locations, and calculated the average monthly maintenance costs of the lifts as follows:

Private residential buildings

Private commercial buildings

     The cost information is available in the Responsible Persons' Corner on the EMSD's website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/lifts_and_escalators_safety/responsible_persons_corner/index.html). The EMSD will update it on a half-yearly basis.

     In choosing registered lift contractors, the responsible persons for lifts are advised to make reference to the materials published in the Responsible Persons' Corner in addition to the price factor. The materials include:

* performance ratings of registered contractors;
* sample contracts for procurement of lift maintenance services;
* a guidebook for persons responsible for lifts;
* guidelines for selection of registered contractors for provision of maintenance services;
* guidelines for modernisation of existing lifts;
* guidelines for management of lift maintenance works;
* a checklist for building management staff to conduct daily safety inspection of lifts; and
* common questions and answers on lift management.

Note: The above price figures were updated on September 30, 2023, whereas the previous price figures were updated on March 31, 2023.

     Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, officiating at the opening ceremony of the Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit 2023 co-hosted by the Government and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service this morning (November 23):

Ladies and gentlemen,

     A very warm welcome to you all from overseas or the Mainland, or coming here within Hong Kong.

     First of all, I would like to extend my greatest appreciation to the organiser for making this Expo and Summit a possibility. This is the seventh edition of the Expo. We organised the first one six years ago. At that time, I think it might be a baby step, trying to understand and explore what we can make use of technology to address the ageing challenge in Hong Kong. After seven years of hard work and a lot of internal deliberation, I think, if I may say, we are now into early adulthood, so we know what we need.

     The Government is making significant investment into gerontechnology and we are witnessing huge support from all over society to make better use of technology to help, first of all, the elderly, but also more importantly, their carers. We see a lot of potential in technology. I am sure all the exhibitors today in this great hall are not just going to showcase your great technology and ideas, but also bring them home to a lot of those who need technological solutions to make their life easier and better.

     Looking forward, in order to make gerontechnology a huge success in Hong Kong, we have to, at least, look at three factors. First of all, cost. We have to make sure it is affordable. We look forward to a wider user net. Secondly, fit for purpose. Hong Kong is a very unique community. We are living in a very crowded space. Every inch of usable space is highly precious, so you have to plan everything into a very compact machine to make sure it works in Hong Kong. I think that is very important. Of course, last but not least, the easiness to use. If you can just condense it into a one quick button so that older people and their carers can make use of it.

     With these remarks, I would like to wish the Expo every success and hope you have a highly enjoyable and eye-opening experience here in the Expo. Thank you very much.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the opening remarks.)

    

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (November 23) that the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will extend the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Greater Bay Area (GBA) Quota Scheme (Trial Phase). The TD will issue invitation letters from the end of November to eligible quota holders of Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars to submit applications from December 1 this year.

     The Trial Phase was implemented since end-2019, allowing eligible Hong Kong and Macao cross-boundary private cars to travel within Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. To better utilise the HZMB and facilitate the flow of people and vehicles between the three places, the governments of the three places will extend the Trial Phase to accept applications from Hong Kong and Macao cross-boundary private cars with a quota and necessary licences/permits of the three places.

     Under the Trial Phase, eligible Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars must have been allocated under the regular quota for travelling between Hong Kong and Macao via the HZMB and under the quota of one of the land crossings for travelling between Hong Kong and Guangdong. In addition to their existing approved crossings, holders under the Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars quota will be approved to use the Hengqin Port to travel between Guangdong and Macao, and where applicable, use the Shenzhen Bay Port (Note) to travel between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, such that their vehicles can travel among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao within the GBA via the HZMB. Some 400 Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars will benefit from the Trial Phase. The validity period of the quota allocations under the Trial Phase for a private car will dovetail with that of its originally approved crossings (whichever is shorter).  

     For application details of Macao cross-boundary private cars, please refer to the website of the Macao Transport Bureau (www.dsat.gov.mo).

Note: Hong Kong cross-boundary private cars approved to use the HZMB Zhuhai Port under the "investment category" of the regular quota would need to meet the tax amount requirement set by the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department for the Shenzhen Bay Port before they can be approved to use the Port.

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 (November 23) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (November 23) that rental of cooked food stalls at the FEHD Skylight Market in Tin Shui Wai is open for application starting today.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The FEHD Skylight Market completed in 2020 will have four new cooked food stalls which are expected to open in the first quarter of next year. Allowed to sell take-away cooked food, these four new stalls are open for application from November 23 to December 8 and will be allocated by computer balloting."

     Applicants should be aged 18 or above and ordinarily resident in Hong Kong, and have at least 3 years' experience in the operation of a relevant cooked food business.

     Application forms can be downloaded from the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk) or obtained at the District Environmental Hygiene Offices. The completed application form together with supporting documents shall be delivered at or before 5.45pm on December 8 by fax (2477 5099), email (tswmkt@fehd.gov.hk), in person or by post to Yuen Long District Environmental Hygiene Office. Applicants can also fill in the online application form and submit the application online. Late applications will not be accepted.

     The order of priority of eligible applicants in selecting a cooked food stall for rental will be generated by open computer balloting. The date of ballot is scheduled for January 3, 2024. The result will be uploaded onto the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk) on the next day after the computer balloting for checking by the applicants. The FEHD will subsequently issue letters to notify successful applicants of the stall rental arrangements.

     Being the landlord of the Skylight Market, the FEHD is responsible for determining the rental level and signing agreements with tenants. A new management model has been introduced, including strengthening the role of the service contractor in managing the FEHD Skylight Market, e.g. formulating market promotion and development strategies, engagement and collaboration with stakeholders, making proposal on the trade mix of the market, with a view to enhancing business vibrancy and meeting the needs of the public. The FEHD has engaged a service contractor through open tender to help carry out the daily management and operation of the market.