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 July 19 to noon today (July 22), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 415 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category, in the past three days (including last Saturday and Sunday). 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).
 
     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 150 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 69 756 samples of food imported from Japan (including 44 872 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 16 544 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     A man who went missing in Kwai Chung has been located.

     Cheng Ying-lung, aged 40, went missing after he left his residence in Kwai Chung Estate on December 31, 2023. His family made a report to Police on January 9.
         
     The man turned up at police station to cancel the missing person report today (July 22). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd. relating to fraudulent websites, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The Highways Department (HyD) today (July 22) signed an investigation, design and construction consultancy agreement with the Arup-AIS Joint Venture for the Smart and Green Mass Transit System in East Kowloon. Apart from Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd and Asia Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, the professional team formed by the Joint Venture is also composed of local financial consultant Knight Frank Petty Ltd and planning consultant KTA Planning Ltd, an engineering design consultant from the Mainland, China Design Group Co Ltd, and professional members in other various disciplines. The Joint Venture will take forward the planning, investigation and design work for the project at full steam.

     A spokesman for the HyD said, "The proposed Smart and Green Mass Transit System in East Kowloon will provide convenient and fast transport feeder services to the northern uphill areas of Kwun Tong for connection with the MTR Choi Hung and Yau Tong Stations and major public transport interchanges, thus providing more commuting options for over 300 000 residents in the uphill areas while reducing the impact of road traffic congestion on the public's commuting. The Government plans to invite suppliers and operators from the Mainland and overseas to submit expressions of interest in the second half of this year, in order to ascertain their interests and capabilities in the construction and operation of the system, and to seek their views on various aspects of the project. We strive to invite tenders for the construction of the project in 2026 with an aim to award the contract in 2027 for completion of the works by 2033 or earlier."
 
     The preliminary alignment of the proposed Smart and Green Mass Transit System in East Kowloon is about 7 kilometres long, including viaducts of about 6k in length and a tunnel of about 1k in length. There will be eight stations connecting from Choi Hung East near the MTR Choi Hung Station, via Choi Wan, Shun Lee, Shun On, Sau Mau Ping, Po Tat and Ma Yau Tong to Yau Tong East near the MTR Yau Tong Station.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 22) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     
     â€‹The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, preferably higher. Reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

    
     â€‹If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
     
     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.