As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

     A spokesman for the LD said today (April 20) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in times of Typhoons and Rainstorms" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

     Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

     In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

     The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

     Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     Members of the public are advised to report any street flooding that comes to their notice to the Drainage Services Department by calling the 24-hour drainage hotline on 2300 1110.

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong exhibition at the Venice Biennale in Venice, Italy, yesterday (April 19, Venice time).

     The Venice Biennale is an important contemporary art event. This year marked the sixth collaboration between the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and the M+ museum of the West Kowloon Cultural District to showcase the works of a Hong Kong artist at the Biennale. This year, Hong Kong artist Trevor Yeung in his solo exhibition, "Trevor Yeung: Courtyard of Attachments, Hong Kong in Venice", will bring 11 new artworks, four of which are specific to the venue at Venice and respond to the architecture of the exhibition venue. 

     Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Kevin Yeung said, "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region supports the development of arts and culture. We are committed to helping cultural institutions and artists to go global. This is one of our strategies in fortifying our role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, a positioning that our country has bestowed on us. Hong Kong has been participating in the Venice Biennale since 2001. It is also an important channel to tell the good stories of Hong Kong, attracting world audience to boost our economy."

     Mr Kevin Yeung started his itinerary upon arrival in Venice yesterday and visited the Chinese Pavilion, the Macao exhibition, and pavilions of other regions. This morning (April 20, Venice time), Mr Yeung visited the Ambassador for Cultural Promotion appointed by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Xu Bing's art exhibition in Venice. He also had an interview with local arts and culture media. In the evening, he met with three Hong Kong artists who were exhibiting their artworks in Venice, as well as local cultural and artistic partners in Italy, to exchange views on cultural matters.

     Mr Kevin Yeung will continue to visit other pavilions tomorrow (April 21, Venice time) and depart Venice for Hong Kong in the evening. He will arrive Hong Kong on Monday afternoon (April 22, Hong Kong time).

                  

     â€‹The delegation of the District Officers (DOs) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government for a study programme on district governance continued its duty visit to Zhejiang Province today (April 20) to gather a deeper understanding of the implementation of modernisation with Chinese characteristics and district governance matters in Zhejiang. 

     The delegation is led by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak and the members include the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Ms Shirley Lam; the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung, and the 18 DOs.

     The delegation arrived in Hangzhou from Beijing yesterday (April 19) and was received by Deputy Director of the Department of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province Mr Yao Guowen with a welcoming dinner. Miss Mak expressed gratitude to Mr Yao for taking the time to meet with the delegation. She said that Zhejiang was the origin of the "Fengqiao Experience" and had long promoted the concept of relying on its people to resolve problems. Zhejiang people are encouraged to "speak up, discuss and take charge", and creatively resolve social disputes and problems, which can serve as a valuable reference for Hong Kong. She hoped that there would be closer exchanges and co-operation between the two places in relation to district governance work in the future.

     The delegates visited the Fengqiao Experience Exhibition Hall in Zhuji City today. Through various exhibits, the delegation learned about the development of the "Fengqiao Experience" and the social governance experience of being people-centric while systematically preventing and resolving conflicts. They also visited the Convenient Service Centre in Fengqiao Town to understand how the "Fengqiao Experience" had been put into practice in the local community.

     The delegation also toured the community of Dongsheng and exchanged views with community members on the experience of grassroots governance, understanding how the "Fengqiao Experience" had been extended to urban communities through the co-ordination of different community organisations to participate in local governance and provision of convenient services to the residents. The delegation also visited the Yuequan Secondary School in Pujiang County to learn about the "Pujiang Experience" and ways to improve the relationship between government officials and the public for strengthening and enhancing district governance through a feature film and photo exhibition. The delegates also visited the historic Xinguang Village, which has been revitalised as a local tourism place.

     The delegation will continue its duty visit to Zhejiang Province tomorrow (April 21) and return to Hong Kong in the afternoon. 

              

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 20) investigating a fatal case of 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 an 8-year-old girl with good past health. She developed a fever and cough since April 17, and developed convulsions on the following day (April 18). She was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital on the same day where she was admitted for treatment. Her respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. Her condition deteriorated after admission and she passed away on April 18.

     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 contacts are 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.

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     â€‹The public may visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information.