â€‹The Tourism Commission of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau held a consultation session on the formulation of the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry 2.0 (Blueprint 2.0) in the Central Government Offices today (May 2) for trade representatives to express views.
      
     The Government promulgated the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry (Blueprint) in October 2017, setting out vision, goals and four long-term development strategies for the tourism industry in Hong Kong and proposing short, medium and long-term measures. As tourism is one of the main driving forces of Hong Kong's economy, the Chief Executive announced in the 2023 Policy Address that the Government will update the Blueprint and formulate corresponding future work plans, specific actions, measures, and performance indicators to formulate Blueprint 2.0, in a bid to further drive the development of the local tourism industry in collaboration with different industries.
      
     The Government has launched a trade consultation for Blueprint 2.0, which will end on June 14. During the consultation period, the Government will invite representatives of the travel trade, related organisations and stakeholders to offer views on Blueprint 2.0 through meetings or in writing. The Tourism Commission also welcomes views from stakeholders on or before June 14 by email (tourismblueprint@cstb.gov.hk), fax (3848 4127) or post (11/F, Harbour East, 218 Electric Road, Fortress Hill, Hong Kong).  
      
     The Government targets to publish Blueprint 2.0 this year, outlining the goals and key directions for further enhancing tourism development as well as fostering collaboration of different industries to enhance the speed and quality of the development of Hong Kong's tourism industry.

      

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Jakarta (HKETO Jakarta) supported the participation of five Hong Kong comic artists in the Malaysia Hong Kong International Comic Week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to promote Hong Kong's creative industries and talent.

     The Malaysia Hong Kong International Comic Week, which is being held in Kuala Lumpur from May 1 to 12, exhibits over 180 original artworks with varied styles and genres from 10 comic artists from Hong Kong and Malaysia. During the event, comic artists will participate in various exchange sessions, drawing demonstrations and autograph sessions to promote exchanges between the comic industries of both places.

     Addressing the opening ceremony today (May 2), the Director-General of the HKETO Jakarta, Miss Libera Cheng, said that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has long been supporting the development of cultural and creative industries, and is committed to developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Sponsored by Create Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Comics Support Programme has entered its third edition this year. The programme aims at supporting and nurturing Hong Kong comic artists and comic start-ups, thereby allowing local comic artists to showcase their talent and creativity on the international stage.

     She added that the exhibition not only provides a great opportunity for the public to appreciate the original artworks of comic artists, but also showcases the unique creativity and vitality of Hong Kong's talent in creative industries. She was also delighted to learn that many works by Hong Kong comic artists have been translated into Malay and released in Malaysia, and receiving favourable response.

     Other guests at the opening ceremony included the Deputy Minister of Communications of Malaysia, Ms Teo Nie Ching, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, Mr Mahadhir Aziz.

        

     The Southern District Office of the Home Affairs Department, along with the Hong Kong Police Force, the Fire Services Department, the Government Flying Service, the Civil Aid Service, the Marine Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the Drainage Services Department, the Highways Department and the Transport Department, held a cross-departmental exercise codenamed "DIMWINDOW" at Shek O Village and Tai Long Wan Village this afternoon (May 2). The exercise aimed to enhance the collaboration, emergency response and recovery capabilities of stakeholders.

     The exercise simulated scenarios involving severe weather conditions such as fallen trees, landslides, and rough seas, which posed threats to lives and caused the missing of citizens. Rescue teams swiftly arrived at the scene to initiate rescue operations, establishing emergency vehicle passages, casualty collection points, and diversion stations for the injured, as well as providing emergency medical aid and assessment. Additionally, the exercise also simulated the two villages being threatened by extreme weather conditions, with citizens being evacuated in an orderly and safe manner, guided by the Police, the Southern District Office, members of the Southern District Council and Southern District Care Teams.

     Approximately 200 personnel from various departments participated in this exercise. Relevant departments will continue to maintain close communication with relevant stakeholders and review contingency plans for major incidents to strengthen co-ordination capabilities among departments and relevant organisations.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

     The Judiciary today (May 2) called on the public to stay vigilant to a phishing email sent from the email account "noreply-hk-judiciary-comm-autonotifservice-f4904c-89ae0@dagnote.com". The email falsely claims that it was issued by the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and is suspected of containing a malicious link. The Judiciary has reported the case to the Police.

     Members of the public are reminded to stay alert to suspicious emails and refrain from opening them. Anyone who has provided personal information to the email sender or clicked the link in the email is advised to contact the Police immediately.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 2) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza. The CHP appealed to members of the public to receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) in a timely manner to better protect themselves during the influenza season.
          
     The case involves a 5-year-old girl with good past health. She developed fever, malaise and vomiting since April 29 and sought medical attention at a private doctor on April 30. She was taken to Prince of Wales Hospital on the same day for medical attention due to the worsening of her symptoms and was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit. Her respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with shock. Her condition improved after treatment and she is now in stable condition.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had not received SIV for this season and had no travel history during the incubation period. Her home contact is currently asymptomatic. The CHP's investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, "Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalisation and death. SIV 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 SIV early. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. 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. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for children and elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other 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;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when visiting public places. The public should also 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, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     The public may visit the CHP's COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information.