Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 8) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, August 8, 2019 is 106.5 (down 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has ordered a restaurant in Wong Tai Sin to suspend business for 14 days because the operator repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by extending the business area illegally.
   
     The restaurant, located on the ground floor at 29 Yuk Wah Crescent, Tsz Wan Shan, Wong Tai Sin, was ordered to suspend business from today (August 8) to August 21.
   
     "In May and June this year, two convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the restaurant. A total fine of $10,000 was levied by the court and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the 14-day licence suspension," a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.
   
     The licensee of the restaurant had a record of two convictions for the same offence in March this year. A total fine of $6,200 was levied and 30 demerit points were registered. The breaches led to a licence suspension for seven days between May and June this year.
   
     The spokesman reminded licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR, or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.
   
     Licensed food premises are required to exhibit a sign at a conspicuous place near the main entrance indicating that the premises have been licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD's website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/index.html).

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 8) that Mui Wo Swimming Pool in Islands District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 3.45pm today.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (August 8) reminded members of the public that the interim special arrangement whereby members of the public may apply for late collection of their expired subsidy for March under the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme will end on August 15. Any late applications beyond August 15 will not be accepted. Commuters who have not collected their subsidy for March may apply for late collection on or before August 15 by calling the Scheme hotline (2969 5500).
 
     "With regard to the fact that the Scheme was at its early stage of implementation and to cater for those who may not have been able to claim the subsidy in the first three months, the Government introduced an interim three-month special arrangement on May 16 whereby members of the public may apply, within one month from the day after the respective collection periods of subsidy for the months of January, February and March, for late collection of their expired subsidy by calling the Scheme hotline. The special arrangement will end on August 15. Thereafter, if commuters do not collect the subsidy within three months, the subsidy amount cannot be retrieved," the TD spokesman said.

     The service hours of the Scheme hotline are from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Members of the public applying for the expired subsidy can press "1" and "0" after choosing the language on the Scheme hotline to be connected to the customer service representatives directly for the application. Upon confirmation of the application, the uncollected subsidy can be collected through various collection channels from the 16th day of the month following the date of the application and within a further three-month period thereafter.
 
     "The collection period of the subsidy for April will end on August 15. Commuters who have yet to collect their subsidy for April are advised to collect it through the established collection channels as soon as possible on or before August 15," the spokesman said.
 
     Commuters can collect the subsidy by tapping their Octopus on the readers of the Subsidy Collection Points installed at all MTR stations and Light Rail Customer Service Centres, designated public transport interchanges and ferry piers, any outlet of 7-Eleven, Circle-K and Wellcome supermarket, as well as at Octopus Service Points or through the Octopus App.
 
     Commuters may check their record of public transport expenses and subsidy amounts through the website of the Scheme (www.ptfss.gov.hk), the Octopus App and the Scheme hotline. For enquires about the details of the Scheme, please browse through the website of the Scheme or call 1823.