Author Archives: hksar gov

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 is 107.3 (down 0.1 against yesterday’s index). read more

     The Task Force on Review of School Curriculum today (August 28) announced that the period for the public consultation on its initial recommendations will be extended for one month to October 16.

     The Consultation Document was released on June 28 to solicit views on a set of initial recommendations for fostering students’ whole-person development and taking forward curriculum development to better prepare students for future challenges. 
 
      Having considered the requests and active response from the public, the Task Force decided to extend the consultation period so that members of the public can have more time to discuss the initial recommendations and send submissions in response to the Consultation Document.

     The Consultation Document is now available at www.edb.gov.hk/en/about-edb/press/consultation. Members of the public are invited to send their views and suggestions to the Task Force by post (Secretariat, Task Force on Review of School Curriculum, Room 1301, 13/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong), by fax (2573 5299) or by email (taskforce_cur@edb.gov.hk) on or before October 16, 2019.
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     â€‹A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 28) said that the FEHD will continue to step up enforcement actions against the unauthorised display of easy-mount frames and other display fittings for business promotion in public places, and will prosecute the beneficiaries of such commercial publicity materials. Two telecommunications companies were fined $20,000 and $10,000 at Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on August 27 for unauthorised display of commercial publicity materials.
 
     The spokesman said the FEHD has all along been concerned about the illegal activity of displaying commercial publicity materials on busy streets. FEHD officers stepped up enforcement actions in the vicinity of Fuk Wah Street, Sham Shui Po, in February this year, and removed a total of eight posters and their stands. Upon further investigation, the department separately issued two summonses and one summons to two beneficiaries, i.e. the two telecommunications companies, for the unauthorised display of commercial publicity materials on government land. The two companies were convicted yesterday and fined a total of $20,000 and $10,000, with the maximum fine of $10,000 imposed for each offence.
 
     Under Section 104A(1) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), any person displaying or affixing a bill or poster on government land without permission commits an offence, and is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $10,000 and a daily fine of $300 upon conviction. FEHD officers can also remove the commercial publicity materials and the display fittings and recover the removal costs from the persons concerned pursuant to the relevant legislation.
　　
     The spokesman reminds street promoters and related commercial organisations to refrain from displaying commercial publicity materials illegally. The department will continue to carry out enforcement actions to curb such illegal activities and improve the communal environment. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers:   Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:        The Civil Engineering and Development Department today (August 28) announced that as the Standby Signal No. 1 has be… read more

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recorded a gradual increase in pollution levels since this morning (August 28). According to the EPD’s forecast, it is expected that the AQHI at some general air quality monitoring stations may reach the “Serious” level later today.

     Under the influence of Tropical Cyclone Podul, the weather in Hong Kong today is mainly fine and very hot with haze. Higher than normal levels of ozone and particulates have been recorded in the territory since noon. The sunshine enhances photochemical smog activity and the rapid formation of ozone and fine particulates in the Pearl River Delta region. The high level of ozone has also promoted the formation of nitrogen dioxide.

     According to the Hong Kong Observatory, Tropical Cyclone Podul will move across the central part of the South China Sea today, and towards the vicinity of Hainan Island tomorrow. It is expected that pollution levels will be improved by then.

     With a health risk category in the “Very High” range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public is advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time staying outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from health-care professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.

     The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB’s website for appropriate measures to safeguard students’ health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows:
www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html.

     When the AQHI is at the “Very High” level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees, such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the “Serious” level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees.

     Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings at the EPD’s website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or by calling the hotline 2827 8541. read more