Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 11) released the latest grading of water quality for four gazetted beaches which are open all year round for swimming.  

     Four beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).

Grade 1 beaches are: 
 

Clear Water Bay Second Beach
Golden Beach
Repulse Bay Beach
Silverstrand Beach

     Compared with the grading released last week, there was no change in the grading for these beaches.

     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.

     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.

     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department’s website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:      The Judiciary today (January 11) announced five judicial appointments covering the High Court and the District Court.      The appointments include one Justice… read more

     The Government announced today (January 11) that the subsidy amount of the Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme for Self-financing Undergraduate Studies in Hong Kong (NMTSS) in the 2019/20 academic year will be adjusted upward … read more

     With the approach of the Year of the Pig, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (January 11) commenced a three-week year-end clean-up campaign across the territory.
      
     “To tie in with the tradition of cleaning up before the Lunar New Year, the annual year-end clean-up campaign is being conducted from today to January 31 to call for public support and efforts to maintain cleanliness in the household, the community and public places to welcome the coming Lunar New Year,” an FEHD spokesman said.
      
     During the campaign, the FEHD will step up the cleaning of public facilities under the department’s management including markets, cooked food centres, hawker bazaars, public toilets and refuse collection points. Cleaning of problematic illegal refuse dumping spots and other cleanliness operations will also be enhanced in all districts. In addition, the FEHD will conduct mosquito and rodent prevention and control operations targeting places such as old tenement buildings, streets, rear lanes, village houses and construction sites, according to each district’s circumstances. Temporary junk collection points will be set up for residents to discard large items of household waste.
      
     The spokesman also reminded operators of food premises to pay attention to hygiene conditions on their premises and urged stallholders to clean up their stalls.
      
     “To ensure the cleanliness of public places, we will strengthen enforcement actions and issue fixed penalty notices to offenders in breach of the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance for littering, spitting, illegal posting of bills or posters, feeding of pigeons or other feral birds causing dirtiness to public places, and dog fouling,” the spokesman said.
      
     The spokesman added that maintaining a clean and hygienic community hinges on everyone’s co-operation and participation. He called for the concerted efforts of every member of the public to maintain environmental hygiene and enjoy a clean environment in the Year of the Pig.

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     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, January 11, 2019 is 103.3 (down 0.3 against yesterday’s index). read more