The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will tomorrow (March 6) leave for Bangkok, Thailand, to promote Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services.

     During her stay in Bangkok, Ms Cheng will call on the Supreme Court of Thailand and the Ministry of Justice as well as the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Thailand. She will also meet with representatives from the business sector to update them on Hong Kong's latest developments.

     Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong in the evening on March 7.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 is 103.2 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

Hong Kong Monetary Authority Exchange Fund Bills Tender Results
*****************************************************

———————————————————
     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning March 11, 2019 :
 

     A dried seafood retailer was fined $15,000 today (March 5) at Eastern Magistrates' Courts for supplying and possessing for sale dried seafood with a false trade description applied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Hong Kong Customs earlier conducted a test-buy operation and bought a type of dried seafood labelled as dried abalone slices at a dried seafood retailer in Wan Chai. Upon examination by the Government Laboratory, it was confirmed as conch meat.

     Customs officers then conducted an operation and seized a total of six kilograms of sliced conch meat with the false label "dried abalone slices".

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure products at reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any person who supplies goods with a false trade description in the course of trade or business, or is in possession of any goods for sale with a false trade description, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 5) closely monitoring eight additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Oman from February 12 to 18. The CHP again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit.
 
     According to the WHO, among the four male patients and four female patients, aged 30 to 77, five had underlying illnesses, one had exposure to camels, seven had contact with previously confirmed patients, two were health care workers, and two had passed away.

     "We will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus," the spokesman said.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS page of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the WHO's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.