Tag Archives: China

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that the North Lantau Transfer Station (NLTS) and Outlying Islands Transfer Facilities (OITF) Second Follow-On Contract has been implemented, with the refurbishment and upgrading wo… read more

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (June 24).
 
     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.
 
     For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
 
     The heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Island:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
 
     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 24) 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 June 16 to 22, the CHP recorded three community-acquired LD cases:
 

1. A male patient, aged 70 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Tai Po District;
2. A male patient, aged 71 with underlying illnesses, who lives in North District; and
3. A male patient, aged 60 with good past health, who lives in Wong Tai Sin District.

     “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 June 22, 48 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2023 and 2022, there were 121 and 80 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; 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; 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. 

     â€‹
     â€‹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.

     â€‹â€‹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

     The launching ceremony for the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, restructured from Create Hong Kong, was held today (June 24). The CCIDA also announced at the ceremony the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with three prominent cultural and creative brands from the Mainland, which marks a new chapter for the cultural and creative industries in Hong Kong.
      
     Addressing the ceremony, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said, “The launching ceremony marks an important milestone in the development of Hong Kong’s cultural and creative industries. It signifies that the CCIDA will take on a new mission. It will foster a better environment in Hong Kong, and adopt an industry-oriented approach to further promote the industrialisation of arts, cultural and creative sectors, dovetailing with the National 14th Five-Year Plan, which aims to develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”
      
     With a view to facilitating more collaboration between Hong Kong brands and the Mainland cultural and creative brands, the CCIDA signed MOUs with three prominent Mainland cultural and creative brands. Among them, two MOUs were signed in Beijing on June 19, which are about the collaboration on the brand “the National Museum of China Innovative” with the National Museum of China (Beijing) Cultural Industry Development Co Ltd, and the collaboration on the brand “the Palace Museum Cultural and Creative Products Hong Kong Space” with the Guangzhou Tai Lai Digitals Cultural Tourism Co Ltd. In addition to a video screening of the two signing ceremonies, an MOU on the collaboration of “Great Wall Cultural Creativity” was also signed at the ceremony with Changcheng Cultural and Creative (Beijing) Culture Co Ltd. The MOUs aim to advance the partnership between the CCIDA and the relevant Mainland cultural and creative brands in areas of market development, promotion and exchanges, with a view to encouraging Hong Kong brands to create more cultural and creative products that feature the characteristics of the National Museum of China, the Palace Museum and Great Wall culture, as well as Hong Kong’s unique charms.
      
     The CCIDA will strive to establish an ecosystem that is conducive to the development of the culture, arts and creative industries. In addition to the current support of various programmes, the CCIDA will set up a new dedicated team to actively assist the industry in expanding overseas markets and strengthening the promotion of intellectual property creation as well as production, thereby creating more business opportunities for the industry and enhancing Hong Kong’s international standing. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, June 24, 2024 is 106.8 (same as last Saturday’s index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, June 22, 2024 was 106.8 (same as last Friday’s index). read more