The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited on phishing email, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the email concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the email should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     As the COVID-19 outbreak is getting more severe in Hong Kong, a lot of people performing duties, staying or gathering in the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex will increase the risk of spreading of the virus. After discussion with representatives of Members, the President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, has decided that the scheduled Council meeting on Wednesday (April 1) will not be held. The items originally to be dealt with at that meeting will be carried over to a future Council meeting. 

     The Inland Revenue Department announced today (March 30) that it will issue property tax returns and employer's returns for the year of assessment 2019-20 on April 1. Profits tax returns and tax returns for individuals for the same year of assessment will be issued on May 4 and June 1 respectively. Taxpayers and employers are generally required to file their returns within one month from the date of issue of the relevant return. For tax representatives, the deadlines in respect of cases represented by them are set out in the Block Extension Letter posted on the department's website.

     Members of the public can visit the department's website (www.ird.gov.hk) for common questions and answers on how to complete tax returns.  The department encourages taxpayers to file their tax returns through eTAX, details of which can be found in the webpage (www.gov.hk/en/residents/taxes/etax/services/index.htm).  Guidance on electronic filing of employer's returns is also available on the department's website (www.ird.gov.hk/eng/tax/err.htm).

     The department reminds taxpayers and employers to pay sufficient postage for returns to be posted to the department to ensure timely delivery. Postage rates can be found on Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.hk. Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the department.

     To continue to help reduce social contact and the risk of the spread of COVID-19 in the community, the Labour Department announced today (March 30) that the public talk entitled “Noise Hazards and Prevention of Hearing Loss” scheduled for April 2 at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum, Tsim Sha Tsui, has been cancelled. Enrolled participants will be informed of the cancellation.

     A total of 131 landslides were reported to the Government last year, less than the annual average of about 300 reported landslides over the past 25 years, the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) announced today (March 30). However, the public are reminded to remain vigilant against the risk of landslides and private slope owners are urged to carry out slope maintenance before the wet season.
 
     The Head of the GEO, Mr Pun Wai-keung, said the majority of the reported landslides last year affected roads, footpaths and squatter structures and the small number of landslides was mainly due to the fact that there were no severe rainstorms during the year. 
 
     "Given the effects of climate change, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has predicted that extreme rainfall would become more frequent and more intense. Thus we should not be complacent about the landslide risk in Hong Kong. People should maintain vigilance and be alert to the weather warnings issued by the HKO during heavy rainstorms and follow relevant guidelines issued by the Government," he emphasised.
 
     As more than 90 per cent of the fatal landslide cases over the past 30 years occurred while the Landslip Warning was in force, Mr Pun reminded members of the public to stay away from slopes when the Landslip Warning is in force or during heavy rain. Pedestrians should avoid walking or standing close to slopes, and motorists should avoid driving in hilly areas. If threatened by distressed slopes, they should not stay between the slopes and rigid structures, and instead should stay in rooms on higher floors or further away from the slopes while continuing to monitor the conditions and watch out for signs of a landslide.
 
     More relevant information can be found in the leaflet entitled "Landslide Self-help Tips" on the CEDD's website (www.cedd.gov.hk/filemanager/eng/content_450/CEDD_Leaflet_2017_English.pdf).
 
     Mr Pun specifically reminded private slope owners to arrange for inspection of their slopes and carry out necessary maintenance works, paying attention to safety, before the wet season. Depending on the type and condition of the slope, maintenance works may include the clearance of accumulated debris from drainage channels, unblocking of weep holes and outlet drainpipes, and repair of cracked or damaged slope surface cover.
 
     Slope owners can refer to the leaflet Keep Your Slopes Safe on the CEDD's website (www.cedd.gov.hk/filemanager/eng/content_450/keep_your_slope_safe_eng.pdf). Information on slope safety and individual slope in the Slope Catalogue can be obtained on the GEO's Hong Kong Slope Safety Website (hkss.cedd.gov.hk). For more detailed information or specific advice on slope maintenance matters, please contact the GEO's Community Advice Unit at 2760 5800 or by email at cau@cedd.gov.hk.