Author Archives: hksar gov

Owing to the maintenance works on the flag poles and the podium at the Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai, the flag-raising ceremony scheduled at 8am today (July 6) will be suspended. read more

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 (July 6) that due to big wav… read more

     The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (July 6), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.

     For enquiries, please call the SWD’s hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678. Information on flag days is available at the SWD’s website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_whatsnew) and the GovHK portal (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing contact information of the flag-selling organisations and information on the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD’s website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_controlofc/sub_recentlyap). For enquiries about the detailed flag-selling arrangements, please contact the individual flag-selling organisations.

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities covered by the Public Subscription Permit issued by the SWD have also been uploaded to the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/fundraising).

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added. read more

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at a media session today (July 5):
 
Reporter: Mr Cheung, the first protester who died because of the anti-extradition protest was on June 15. It’s now July 5. Why did the Government have to react so slowly to that death?
 
Chief Secretary for Administration: The Government did respond by issuing press statements in the last few weeks. But, of course, today I’ve got a very good opportunity to meet with pan-democrats. We had a very candid and useful exchange, and also sharing of views as well. We also agreed that we should do everything possible to stop people taking their own lives. Nothing is more important than life and we should do everything we can to help people, particularly those suffering from various mental depression in the present environment. If they feel they are in difficulty, they should consult professionals and talk to their relatives, talk to their friends. We stand ready to help them, we have mobilised all NGOs involved in youth services and in family services, and have also promised to provide extra funding, additional resources for all these organisations to help those in need.
 
Reporter: Mr Cheung, you said you had an useful exchange with the pan-democrats, but we’re not so sure because, from what we heard, you did not respond to any of the four demands being placed by the democrats. Do you feel the Government is responsible for the death of some protesters who jumped off their life? The second question being on the pro-establishment camp, you have met them for lunch during lunchtime earlier today. Do you feel the rift and the relations with that camp is also improving?
 
Chief Secretary for Administration: The entire Hong Kong SAR Government feels deeply sorry and saddened by the recent suicide cases, and we’ll do everything we can to stop this trend, of course, by enlisting support – not only volunteers but all NGOs and government departments concerned to help those in need, particularly those suffering from depression. We realise that many people are feeling unhappy at this present moment. That’s why we have to work together. Life is very important. Nothing’s more important than life.

     My meeting with the pan-democrats just now was very useful in a sense that it’s the first time we really have an opportunity to sit down and talk candidly and frankly over the issue. Particularly, we spent a lot of time on how to stop this suicide trend. We’re all very concerned. That’s why the whole Government, as I said, from Chief Executive downwards, we are all very concerned and deeply saddened about the whole thing. That’s why we should do everything possible to help those really in need.

     As far as my lunch with a few LegCo members is concerned, it’s in fact part of the regular liaison meetings. The objective is of course to feel their pulse and also hear their views on the upcoming Policy Address, particularly on how to help youngsters, youths, out of the present situation. This is my major concern. Youth, the welfare, the well-being of youngsters, really tops our agenda.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (July 5) investigating an imported case of measles infection.

     The case involves a 37-year-old female visitor who arrived in Hong Kong from Thailand on July 4. The patient, with good past health, developed fever since June 29 and rash since July 1. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department at Queen Mary Hospital on July 4 and was admitted for treatment on the same day.
 
     A laboratory test of her respiratory specimen was positive for the measles virus. She has been in a stable condition all along. The patient’s measles vaccination history is unknown. 
 
     Upon notification of the case, the CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. Investigations are ongoing. The public places the patient visited during the communicable period are listed in the appendix.

     A spokesman for the DH said, “Those who might have had contact with the patient during the period of communicability are urged to observe if they have developed measles-related symptoms, and to seek medical treatment immediately if such symptoms appear. If they need to visit any health care facilities during the period of medical surveillance, they should also report whether they have symptoms and prior measles exposure history to the healthcare workers so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at the healthcare facilities concerned to prevent any potential spread.”

     The spokesman explained that measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It can be transmitted by airborne droplets or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons, and, less commonly, by articles soiled with nose and throat secretions. A patient can pass the disease to other persons from four days before to four days after the appearance of skin rash.

     “The incubation period (the period from infection to appearance of illness) of measles ranges from seven days to 21 days. Symptoms of measles include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If symptoms arise, members of the public should wear surgical masks, stop going to work or school and avoid going to crowded places. They should also avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially persons with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children aged below 1. Those suspected to have been infected are advised to seek medical attention as early as possible and reveal relevant contact history of measles to healthcare professionals,” the spokesman advised. 

     “Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. Members of the public who are planning to travel to places with high incidence or outbreaks of measles should review their vaccination history and past medical history, especially people born outside Hong Kong who might not have received measles vaccination during childhood. The history of measles vaccination in Hong Kong is available in the CHP’s measles thematic page. Those who have not received two doses of measles-containing vaccines, with unknown vaccination history or unknown immunity against measles are urged to consult their doctor for advice on vaccination at least two weeks before departure,” the spokesman said.
  
     Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
 

• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
• Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
• Clean used toys and furniture properly; and
• Persons with measles should be kept out of school till four days from the appearance of rash to prevent spread of the infection to non-immune persons in school.

     For more information on measles, the public may call the 24-hour health education hotline 2833 0111 or visit the CHP’s measles thematic page. For outbreak news of measles outside Hong Kong or the latest travel health advice, please visit the website of DH’s Travel Health Service. read more