The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) released today (November 23) the latest maintenance cost information on lifts in private residential and commercial premises, as a reference for responsible persons of lifts when selecting registered lift contractors.

     According to a sampling survey involving some 65 000 lifts at about 19 500 locations conducted by an independent consultant engaged by the EMSD, the latest average monthly maintenance cost of lifts in private residential and commercial buildings in Hong Kong are as follows:
             

     The cost information is available in the Responsible Persons' Corner on the EMSD's website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/lifts_and_escalators_safety/responsible_persons_corner/index.html). The EMSD updates it on a half-yearly basis.

     In choosing registered lift contractors, the responsible persons of lifts are advised to make reference to the materials published in the Responsible Persons' Corner in addition to the price factor, including:
* performance ratings of registered contractors;
* sample contracts for procurement of lift maintenance services;
* a guidebook for persons responsible for lifts;
* guidelines for selection of registered contractors for provision of maintenance services;
* guidelines for modernisation of existing lifts;
* guidelines for management of lift maintenance works;
* a checklist for building management staff to conduct daily safety inspection of lifts; and
* common questions and answers on lift management.

Note 1: The above price figures were updated on September 30, 2018, whereas the previous price figures were updated on March 31, 2018.

Note 2: As there are relatively few lifts with travel of more than 35 levels, the surveyed price obtained through sampling of lifts in this group is prone to higher fluctuation.

     A man who went missing in Mong Kok has been located.

     Tse Kin-sun, aged 82, went missing after he was last seen on Sai Yee Street on November 20 night. Police subsequently received the report.   

     The man turned up to Police to cancel the missing person report yesterday (November 22) night. He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.
     

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 23) that in view of a notification from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N6 sub-type avian influenza in Jiangdu District, Yangzhou City in Jiangsu Province, it has followed the existing approach for control of highly pathogenic avian influenza and taken recommendations from the World Organisation for Animal Health into account to suspend the import of poultry and poultry products, including poultry eggs, from an area within a radius of 3 kilometres from the said place for a period of 90 days, and from an area within a radius of 13km for 21 days, with immediate effect for the protection of public health in Hong Kong.
      
     A spokesman for the CFS said that according to information from the General Administration of Customs, the outbreak does not affect any registered Mainland poultry farms that export to Hong Kong. No registered poultry meat or poultry egg processing plants are currently situated within the import restriction zone concerned.
      
     The CFS will closely monitor the latest developments of the avian influenza case in the province and take appropriate follow-up action as necessary.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, November 23, 2018 is 105.7 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of Singapore Limited on suspicious mobile applications (Apps), which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the Apps concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the Apps should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.