Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 1) investigating an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at a primary school in Fanling, and hence reminded the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene against AGE.

     The outbreak involves 10 boys and nine girls aged 10 to 13, as well as a female staff member, who have developed vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain since March 25. Among them, two sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All patients have been in a stable condition.

     Officers of the CHP conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the staff of the school concerning proper and thorough disinfection, proper disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene. The school has been put under medical surveillance.

     The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.

     A spokesman for the CHP advised members of the public to take heed of the following preventive measures against gastroenteritis:
 

• Ensure proper personal hygiene;
• Wash hands thoroughly before handling food and eating, after using the toilet or after changing diapers;
• Wear gloves when disposing of vomitus or faecal matter, and wash hands afterwards;
• Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items promptly and thoroughly with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water). Wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Pay attention to food hygiene;
• Use separate utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Avoid food that is not thoroughly cooked;
• Drink boiled water; and
• Do not patronise unlicensed food premises or food stalls.

     The public may visit the CHP’s website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Health Education Hotline (2833 0111) for more information. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today announces a new service schedule of the two Coin Carts under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of May 20, 2019 up to July 28, 2019. The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).
      
     Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014, the two Coin Carts have completed 24 cycles of serving the 18 districts on March 10, 2019. The Carts had carried out 559 000 transactions, collecting 460 million coins with a total face value of HK$647 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.
      
     The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts’ own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by district councils and members of public; and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.
      
     The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart. Service hours are from 10 am to 7 pm. Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus O! ePay, Tap&Go, TNG Wallet and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.
      
     The HKMA will review the Programme from time and time; and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public. read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (April 1).      The value of total retail sales in February 2019, provisionally estimated at $40.7 billion, decrease… read more

     A couple who went missing in North Point has been located.      Lam Chi-tat, aged 71, and his 60-year-old wife, Tsim Fung-yee, were found missing after they left an elderly home on North Point R… read more

     The 2019 Hong Kong Awards for Industries (HKAI) is open for entries from today (April 1). Hong Kong companies in the manufacturing and services sectors are invited to join. The closing date is June 6.

     Supported by the Government, the HKAI aims to recognise the outstanding achievements of Hong Kong enterprises in pursuit of high technology and high value-added activities, and to commend excellence in various aspects of their performance. The HKAI also helps to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong industries and promote Hong Kong brands. 

     The 2019 HKAI comprises seven categories, each run by an Organiser:
 

Category	Organiser
Consumer Product Design	Federation of Hong Kong Industries
Equipment and Machinery Design	The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong
Customer Service	Hong Kong Retail Management Association
Innovation and Creativity	Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
Smart Productivity	Hong Kong Productivity Council
Technological Achievement	Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Upgrading and Transformation	Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council

     Adjudication in each award category is carried out by a preliminary judging panel arranged by individual Organisers. A final judging panel will be convened to decide the winners. One grand award will be presented to the most outstanding entry in each category. Other deserving entries will be presented with an award or a certificate of merit. All award winners are entitled to display the official logo of the HKAI and receive the HKAI trophy or certificate as a permanent memento of their achievements.

     The awards presentation ceremony will be held in December 2019 at the Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Science Park.

     Entry forms and brochures are now available from the respective Organisers. They can also be downloaded from the HKAI website at www.hkindustryaward.org.

     The HKAI was launched in 2005 by merging the former Hong Kong Awards for Industry and the former Hong Kong Awards for Services, established in 1989 and 1997 respectively. Over the years, the HKAI has recognised and commended the excellent performance of about 1,110 companies.

     For further information, please visit the HKAI website at www.hkindustryaward.org or contact the respective Organisers (see contact details on the website) or the Secretariat of the Organising Committee of the HKAI at hkai@tid.gov.hk or Tel: 2398 5551. read more