The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (March 15) released the latest grading of water quality for eight gazetted beaches that are open for swimming.
      
     Eight beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Silverstrand Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1.
      
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
      
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.  Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the Beach Water Quality Forecast mobile application (available for download from: www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQApp) or the dedicated beach water quality forecast page (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast) on the EPD's beach thematic website.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, March 15, 2024 is 104.8 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Twilight" and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" and "Windsand" for four consecutive days from March 11 to yesterday (March 14). A total of nine suspected illegal workers, two suspected employers and two overstayers were arrested.
 
     During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided seven target locations including a commercial building, premises under renovation and restaurants. Six suspected illegal workers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised two men and four women, aged 32 to 63. Among them, one man and two women were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment. In addition, one woman was suspected of using and being in possession of a false instrument. Two men, aged 42 and 46, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.
 
     During operation "Champion", enforcement officers raided 65 target locations in Central and Eastern districts. Three suspected illegal workers and two overstayers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised two men and one woman, aged 35 to 52. Among them, one man was a holder of recognisance form, which prohibits him from taking any employment. One male and one female overstayers, aged 45 and 46, were also arrested.
     
     An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
 
     The spokesman warned, "As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person, or to transfer an identity card to another person without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment."
 
     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
 
     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
 
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

  

     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 March 14 to noon today (March 15), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 201 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category. 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 50 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 36 444 samples of food imported from Japan (including 24 391 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 10 078 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     The annual Hong Kong Flower Show extravaganza opened at Victoria Park today (March 15) with some 420 000 flowers on display, including about 40 000 angelonias, this year's theme flower.

     Officiating at the opening ceremony were the wife of the Chief Executive, Mrs Janet Lee; the President of the Legislative Council, Mr Andrew Leung; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Miss Anita Fung; Miss Hong Kong 2023 Hilary Chong; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu.

     Under the theme "Floral Joy Around Town", this year the landscape displays along the showground axis take their creative cues from fairy tales. Setting off from the Hing Fat Street entrance, visitors first step into the Journey to the West section through the South Heavenly Gate, where they will find topiaries in the shape of magic weapons wielded by the Monkey King, such as the all-powerful banana leaf fan and the cloud that takes him thousands of miles in one somersault. The resplendent flowers and red lanterns remind one of the fireballs in the Flaming Mountains. Next to it is the Arabian Myths section inspired by One Thousand and One Nights. Visitors marvel at a majestic palace consisting of over 10 000 flowers and plants, losing themselves in its exotic beauty.  

     Near the Sugar Street entrance are two other landscape displays inspired by fairy tales – The Wizard of Oz as well as Jack and the Beanstalk. The former showcases a rainbow-coloured hill and the mysterious Land of Seven Colours, where visitors are greeted by the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and Lion. The latter features giant vines reaching the clouds and hens laying golden eggs – a wonderland of fantasy for visitors to embark on an adventure uniquely their own.

     The Jockey Club Student Drawing Competition held today attracted approximately 2 200 children, who enjoyed drawing the flowers and plants. Crowds of visitors also gathered to take photographs of the exhibits such as the horticultural displays, the three-dimensional theme flower wall, flower plots, seas of tulips and the sunflower field.

     Meanwhile, the flower show is hosting an online voting campaign called "My Favourite Garden Plot". Voters can choose their favourite from the garden plots of the 18 districts at the flower show, with the chance of winning free air tickets.

     This year's flower show has enhanced environmental protection measures, and participating organisations, contractors, volunteers and visitors are encouraged to join hands in creating a "Green Flower Show for All". Waste separation bins and recyclables collection points are available at the showground to collect carton boxes, plastic flower pots, glass bottles, wilted flowers, soil and more. To support environmental protection, visitors are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and green shopping bags.

     Additionally, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold a Green Recycling Day after the flower show. Students and volunteers will assist in sorting and collecting recyclables at the showground. Flowers and plants suitable for replanting will be distributed to schools, environmental groups, non-governmental organisations and members of the public.

     The flower show is organised by the LCSD. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust is supporting the flower show for the 12th consecutive year and has been its major sponsor since 2014. The Club's support for the Hong Kong Flower Show, like all its charity donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate employment, tax and charity support for the community.

     This year's flower show is one of the events under "Art March" of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. The flower show is running until March 24 from 9am to 9pm daily. For more details of the flower show and its admission fee arrangements, please visit the event webpage (www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2024/index.html) or call the enquiry hotline at 2601 8260.