The Land Registry announced today (May 1) that compact discs for the 51st edition of the Index of Streets, House Numbers and Lots in Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Kowloon (Street Index), and the 20th edition of the New Territories Lot/Address Cross Reference Table (CRT), have been released. The discs facilitate searches of land records of urban and New Territories properties by correlating property addresses, building names or lot numbers.
 
     The new edition of the Street Index features 411 amendments to the last edition, with 25 new streets and 55 new lots/sections/subsections added. In the latest edition of the CRT, 1,846 amendments have been made and 14 new streets and 1,485 new lots/sections/subsections have been added.
 
     The new editions of the Street Index and CRT compact discs cost $370 each. Licences for using them on computer networks are also available for sale. The respective licence fees are $2,960 for computer networks linked to less than 50 terminals and $5,920 if linked to 50 terminals or more.
 
     Members of the public who wish to purchase the compact discs and the licences may submit a completed order form in person or by post to the Land Registry's Customer Centre (Address: 19/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong) or the Land Registry's Street Index and CRT Help Desk (Address: Unit 1202, 12/F, One Kowloon, 1 Wang Yuen Street, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong). The form is available at the Land Registry's Customer Centre, the New Territories Search Offices, the Street Index and CRT Help Desk and the Land Registry's website (www.landreg.gov.hk). It can also be obtained by fax by calling the customer service hotline at 3105 0000.
 
     An online version of the new Street Index and CRT is also available for free browsing on the Land Registry's website (www.landreg.gov.hk) or through the hyperlink on the Integrated Registration Information System Online Services (www.iris.gov.hk).
 
     For enquiries, please call the Street Index and CRT help desk or the Customer Service Manager at 3105 0000.

     The Labour Department enhanced the Work Trial Scheme (WTS) today (May 1) to strengthen the assistance for job seekers having difficulties in finding jobs. The WTS arranges for job seekers to undergo one-month work trials with participating organisations so as to enhance their employability.

     The scope of the WTS has been expanded with immediate effect to cover part-time posts to meet the needs of job seekers and the employment market. The amount of work trial allowance payable to work trial participants has also been raised. On completion of the one-month (30 days) full-time work trial, the allowance payable to participants is raised from a maximum of $7,600 to $8,300 while the allowance for part-time work trial participants is calculated at $49 per hour. Of the allowance granted, $500 is contributed by the participating organisation that offers the work trial opportunity.

     Participating organisations are encouraged to offer employment to work trial participants after completion of the work trial.

     Details of the programme are available from the WTS webpage (www.jobs.gov.hk/en/info/wts) or the WTS Coordinating Office at 2152 2090.

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 (May 1) that the Environmental Protection Department has classified the water quality at Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District as Grade 4, which means the beach is not suitable for swimming. The red flags have been hoisted. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beaches until further notice.

      Kyoto Ichinoden announced today (May 1) that it has opened its first overseas restaurant in Hong Kong, celebrating the brand's 100th anniversary while also tapping into the city's unique role in the region and its close ties with the Mainland market for future expansion.
          
     Kyoto Ichinoden's debut local restaurant is located in a major shopping mall in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, offering traditional Japanese cuisine including Kyoto kaiseki (multi-course dinner) and saikyozuke (seasonal meat or fish fillet pickled in Saikyo miso), the latter being a traditional dish from Kyoto.
          
     The President of Kyoto Ichinoden HK Limited, Mr Jumpei Tanaka, said, "Hong Kong is a vibrant city situated in the heart of the region. Strategically, Hong Kong is our first choice for expansion because of its geographical and economic advantages. Moreover, there is a strong passion for Japanese food, so this gives Japanese restaurants a very good head start to set up a presence here. The city is also very strong in terms of logistics and transportation, ensuring efficient supplies of fresh ingredients – essential for the operation of high-grade Japanese restaurants like ours.
          
     "We expect that soon we may reach out to the Mainland market and other places in east Asia from Hong Kong, given that the city is close to the Mainland market and a major business hub in Asia. As the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) has become an important development and that Hong Kong plays a key role within it, having a first overseas base in Hong Kong will also help our brand build solid customer confidence and spread quickly to the Greater Bay Area in the near future."
          
     Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Dr Jimmy Chiang, said, "The arrival of Kyoto Ichinoden showcases the unique attractions of Hong Kong for international restaurateurs. It also adds to the vibrant scene of Hong Kong food industry, offering a premium choice for discerning diners from Hong Kong and around the globe. I wish Kyoto Ichinoden every success in Hong Kong and beyond."
          
About Kyoto Ichinoden
     
     Founded in 1927, the first Kyoto Ichinoden opened in the Kyoto central wholesale market, Japan's first central market. The restaurant is famous for traditional saikyozuke, which is the most sought-after cuisine originating from Kyoto. For more information, please visit www.ichinoden.jp/en/index.html.
          
About InvestHK
     
     InvestHK is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and supporting overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
          
     For an event photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72157680162943538.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson of Caritas Medical Centre made the following announcement today (May 1):

     Seven patients (aged 4 to 18) with chronic illnesses residing in Developmental Disabilities Unit of Caritas Medical Centre and four healthcare staff have presented with fever and upper respiratory symptoms since April 20.

     Laboratory tests revealed that four patients were positive for Human Metapneumovirus. Two of the four patients' test results were also positive for Influenza A virus. The patients are being treated under isolation. Three healthcare staff are currently on sick leave.

     The hospital has informed the relatives of the patients about the situation. Infection control measures of the ward have been enhanced. All other patients and staff in the ward are under close surveillance.

     The hospital has reported the cases to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.