Tag Archives: China

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FEHD responds to Ombudsman’s direct investigation report

     Regarding a report released by the Office of The Ombudsman today (March 7) on its direct investigation into the regulation of licensed swimming pools by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), a spokesman for the FEHD expressed gratitude and said that the department accepted all 12 recommendations made in the report and has responded to gradually implement a number of recommendations, including:
 

  • improving health inspectors’ compilation of inspection records and revising the inspection record form to delineate the inspection items more clearly so as to unify the standard of inspections. These improvement measures not only assist health inspectors in carrying out systematic inspections but also effectively enhance the quality of inspections. Licensees can also better understand the inspection results to follow up on irregularities;
 
  • making good use of technologies to enhance the record maintenance of inspection results for licensed swimming pools. The FEHD is working on the enhancement of the Licensing Management Information System to electronically record the inspection results for licensed swimming pools and provide additional photo-taking functions. Relevant information and records will be transferred direct to the system for prompt analysis with a view to improving regulatory efficiency;
 
  • to enhance monitoring by swimming pool users, the FEHD has imposed an additional licensing condition since October 2022, requiring licensees to display at a conspicuous location of pool entrances the required number of life-saving attendants during the opening hours of swimming pools. Apart from serving as a reminder to licensees and management staff, it also makes information more transparent to pool users and empowers them to take part in the monitoring of swimming pools by being aware of whether the number of life-saving attendants on duty is sufficient;
 
  • to address the pool water quality issue, the FEHD has proactively enquired with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) to draw reference from the practice in public swimming pools and update the guidelines on the handling of pollution sources in swimming pool water, which is expected to be completed in the second quarter this year. The FEHD and the LCSD have already held the first meeting to exchange information and share experiences on the regulation and management of swimming pools; and
 
  • the FEHD will issue letters to licensees before the swimming season in order to encourage the licensees to enhance life-saving, first-aid and resuscitation equipment as necessary, including the provision of lifebuoys, first-aid boxes, suction devices, oxygen deployment equipment, automated external defibrillators, etc to further protect swimmers’ safety.

     The spokesman said, “The FEHD ensures licensed swimming pools’ compliance with the Swimming Pools Regulation and licensing conditions through regular inspections and various regulatory measures to protect swimmers’ safety and maintain environmental hygiene. The FEHD has been reviewing from time to time the workflow and guidelines for regulating licensed swimming pools, and the investigation report released by the Office of The Ombudsman will help the department further improve its work. Other than the above-mentioned new measures that are already implemented, the FEHD is continuing to actively follow up on the rest of the recommendations.” read more

East Asia

CHP investigates case of severe paediatric influenza A infection

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 7) 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 10-year-old girl with underlying diseases. She had developed a fever, sore throat and cough with sputum since February 28, and had visited a Chinese medicine practitioner on March 4. She developed shortness of breath yesterday (March 6) and attended the accident and emergency department of Kwong Wah Hospital and was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital on the same day. Her respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with pneumonia. She is now in critical 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.

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

East Asia

Safeguarding National Security Bill to be gazetted tomorrow

     The Chief Executive in Council has approved today (March 7) the gazettal tomorrow (March 8) and the introduction of the Safeguarding National Security Bill (the Bill) into the Legislative Council (LegCo), with a view to fully implementing the constitutional duty as stipulated under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the Decision of the National People’s Congress on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to Safeguard National Security and the Hong Kong National Security Law, in order to ensure the effective safeguarding of national security as early as possible.
 
     It is the constitutional duty of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to safeguard national security. Article 23 of the Basic Law stipulates that the “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall enact laws on its own to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the Central People’s Government, or theft of state secrets, to prohibit foreign political organizations or bodies from conducting political activities in the Region, and to prohibit political organizations or bodies of the Region from establishing ties with foreign political organizations or bodies”. The Decision of the National People’s Congress on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to Safeguard National Security (5.28 Decision), which was adopted on May 28, 2020, emphasised again that the “HKSAR must complete the national security legislation stipulated in the Basic Law of the HKSAR at an earlier date”. Article 7 of the Hong Kong National Security Law also stipulates that the “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall complete, as early as possible, legislation for safeguarding national security as stipulated in the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and shall refine relevant laws”.
 
     The HKSAR Government conducted a public consultation on the Basic Law Article 23 legislation from January 30 to February 28 this year, during which 98.6 per cent of the views received showed support and gave positive comments, indicating that the legislation has a strong popular support. The Security Bureau and the Department of Justice have been steadfastly working at full steam and have completed the drafting of the Bill.
 
     Besides being the constitutional duty of the HKSAR, there is also a genuine and urgent need to legislate for Article 23. The HKSAR has gone through the unbearable and painful experience of having our national security seriously threatened, especially during the Hong Kong version of “colour revolution” and “black-clad violence” in 2019. The geopolitics has become increasingly complex, and national security risks remain imminent. The means taken to endanger national security can come in many different forms and the threat can emerge all of a sudden. Therefore, the HKSAR Government must complete the legislative work as soon as possible to plug the national security loophole. The earlier we complete the legislative work, the sooner we can guard against national security risks.
 
     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, “To complete the legislative work as soon as possible, I have written to the President of the LegCo, setting forth that the Basic Law Article 23 legislation is the constitutional duty of the entire HKSAR, and hence both the Government and the LegCo have the responsibility and must spare no effort in getting the law enacted as soon as possible. In order to achieve the goal of completing the legislative work as early as possible, I have suggested the LegCo speedily commence the scrutiny of the Bill and consider such means as convening a special LegCo meeting for the First and Second Reading and convening Bills Committee meetings as early as possible, with a view to scrutinising the Bill and completing the legislative process at full speed.”
 
     “The HKSAR has to enact the Basic Law Article 23 legislation as soon as possible – the earlier the better. Completing the legislative work even one day earlier means we can more effectively safeguard national security one day earlier. The HKSAR can then focus its efforts on developing the economy, improving people’s livelihood and maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong,” Mr Lee continued.  read more

East Asia