The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (April 25) announced that the exhibition periods of thematic exhibitions held at the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) have been extended. Members of the public could grasp the chance to visit these exhibitions.

     â€‹The exhibition period of "#popcolours: The Aesthetics of Hues in Antiquities from the HKMoA Collection" at the HKMoA has been extended to September 7. With "colours" as the theme, the exhibition features more than 300 items of Chinese antiquities from the museum collection, including porcelains, lacquers, textiles, glass and jade, and takes visitors on a fascinating journey to explore the colourful world of ancient artefacts.

     The exhibition is held at the Chinese Antiquities Gallery on the third floor of the HKMoA and admission is free. For details, please visit the website at hk.art.museum/en_US/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/popcolours-the-aesthetics-of-hues-in-antiquities-from-the-hkmoa-collection.html, or call 2721 0116 for enquiries.

     Another exhibition, "New Horizons: Ways of Seeing Hong Kong Art in the 80s and 90s" at the HKMoA has had its exhibition period extended to May 29. The exhibition examines the crucial turning points, new trends and sensibilities in contemporary art in Hong Kong during the 1980s and 1990s.

     The exhibition is held at The Lab on the fifth floor of the HKMoA and is free for admission. For details, please visit the website at hk.art.museum/en_US/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/new-horizons-ways-of-seeing-hong-kong-art-in-the-80s-and-90s.html, or call 2721 0116 for enquiries.

     â€‹At the HKHM, the exhibition period of "X-Xperimenting Exhibition – Danny Yung 50 Year Creations" has been extended to August 1. Featuring cross-media works of art created by artist Danny Yung over the decades, the exhibition charts the diversified artistic journey of a forerunner of experimental art.

     â€‹The exhibition is jointly presented by the LCSD and Zuni Icosahedron (Zuni), and is jointly organised by the HKHM and Zuni. Designer Freeman Lau, Zuni's Co-Artistic Director cum Executive Director Mathias Woo, and Zuni's International Exchange Director, Wong Yue-wai, served as the guest curators of the exhibition. It is held at Thematic Galleries 1 and 2, courtyard and corridor on the first floor of the HKHM, and admission is free. For details, please visit the website at www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/en_US/web/hm/exhibitions/data/exid270.html, or call 2180 8188.

     â€‹In addition, the exhibition for the "Still & Motion – Hong Kong International Poster Triennial 2021" competition at the HKHM has had its exhibition period extended to May 9. The exhibition is jointly organised by the HKHM and the Hong Kong Designers Association. Featuring 116 entries to the competition from around the world as well as posters designed by four internationally renowned designers who were the competition panel judges, the exhibition presents the diverse culture and creativity of graphic designers around the world in still and motion.

     â€‹The exhibition is held at Thematic Galleries 3, 4 and 5 on the first floor of the HKHM and is free for admission. For details, please visit the website at hk.heritage.museum/en_US/web/hm/exhibitions/data/exid271.html, or call 2180 8188.

     â€‹In order to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, visitors are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code with their mobile phones/other mobile devices before being allowed to enter the museum for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, all persons entering indoor venues under the management of the LCSD must comply with the relevant requirement of the Vaccine Pass.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 is 96.6 (up 0.4 against yesterday's index).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 19) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From April 10 to 16, three community-acquired LD cases were reported:
 
     1. A male patient, aged 52 with underlying illnesses, who lives in 276 Shan Liu Road, Tai Po;
     2. A female patient, aged 73 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Shek Tsui House, Shek Wai Kok Estate, Tsuen Wan; and
     3. A male patient, aged 76 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Block A, Sunway Gardens, Quarry Bay.

     "Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of April 16, 15 LD cases had been reported this year. In 2021 and 2020, there were 69 and 104 cases respectively.

     "Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels," the spokesman said.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

     
     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     â€‹The public may visit the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 19) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From April 10 to 16, three community-acquired LD cases were reported:
 
     1. A male patient, aged 52 with underlying illnesses, who lives in 276 Shan Liu Road, Tai Po;
     2. A female patient, aged 73 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Shek Tsui House, Shek Wai Kok Estate, Tsuen Wan; and
     3. A male patient, aged 76 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Block A, Sunway Gardens, Quarry Bay.

     "Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     As of April 16, 15 LD cases had been reported this year. In 2021 and 2020, there were 69 and 104 cases respectively.

     "Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels," the spokesman said.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

     
     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     â€‹The public may visit the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.

     The Education Bureau (EDB) today (April 19) reminded members of the public to stay alert to fraudulent emails purporting to be sent by the EDB from "procurement@edb-govhk.com", an email address with a domain similar to that of the EDB (@edb.gov.hk). The sender claimed to be an EDB staff member and invited vendors to provide quotations for some products.

     A spokesman for the EDB clarified, "The EDB has no connection with the fraudulent email. Members of the public and vendors are reminded not to click on the links of any suspicious email, provide any of their personal and bank information through such links, nor make any payment. The EDB has reported the incident to the Police."