Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Transport Department (TD) today (October 6) rolled out taxi and public light bus (PLB) driver identity plates with a 10-year validity period. New specifications for the driver identity plates also came into effect.

     Having regard to the request from taxi and PLB trades for a longer validity period of driver identity plates, and as one of the facilitation measures put forth in the report of the Public Transport Strategy Study released in June 2017, the validity period of taxi and PLB driver identity plates has been extended from one year to 10 years.
 
     Taxi and PLB driver identity plates issued before October 6, 2018, will still be valid for 12 months. For example, if a driver identity plate was issued on September 1, 2018, it will still be valid until August 31, 2019. The driver can then apply for a new driver identity plate on September 1, 2019, and it will be valid until August 31, 2029. Therefore, there is no need for holders of valid taxi or PLB driver identity plates to rush to change to the new driver identity plates.

     Taxi or PLB drivers with valid taxi or PLB driving licences can obtain their new taxi or PLB driver identity plates at the TD’s authorised agents. They can obtain flyers listing the information of the TD’s authorised agents at the TD Licensing Offices and Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department. Also, the TD is distributing the flyers to taxi and PLB drivers through taxi and PLB trade organisations, some designated LPG gas filling stations and the TD’s authorised agents. For the addresses and opening hours of the agents, please visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk), or call 2804 2600
 
     The TD reminded all taxi and PLB drivers that they are required to display driver identity plates when providing services. Those who fail to do so will be subject to a fine of $2,000. read more

     The Media Evangelism Limited has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (October 6), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said. 
 
     For enquiries, please call the SWD’s hotline at 2343 2255, or the Charitable Fund-raising Control Team at 2832 4311 during office hours. Information on the flag days of the month is available at the SWD’s website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_whatsnew). Permits for flag days containing contact information of the flag-selling organisations and information on the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD’s website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_controlofc/sub_recentlyap). For enquiries about the detailed flag-selling arrangements, please contact the individual flag-selling organisations.
 
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities covered by the Public Subscription Permit issued by the SWD have also been uploaded to the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/fundraising).
 
     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added. read more

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has received further visa relaxation information from the Consulate General of Myanmar in Hong Kong. Under the Tourist Visa Exemption Pilot Sc… read more

     Police will implement the following special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate grave-sweepers, and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movements and pedestrian safety during Chung Yeung Festival. Cha… read more

     The Department of Health (DH) today (October 5) urged the public not to buy or consume a virility product named Hamer Candy Ginseng & Coffee as it was found to contain an undeclared and controlled substance.
 
     Based on the DH’s market surveillance, a sample of the above product was purchased from a company in Kwun Tong for analysis. The test results from the Government Laboratory confirmed that the sample contains nortadalafil, which is a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (PPO) (Cap 138) and an analogue of another Part 1 poison, tadalafil.
 
     The DH and the Police carried out a joint operation today and raided the above company. A man aged 70 was arrested for illegal sale and possession of a Part 1 poison.
 
     The DH’s investigation is continuing.
 
     Tadalafil is used for erectile dysfunction and should only be used under the advice of a doctor. Side effects of tadalafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with some drugs (such as nitroglycerin for treatment of angina) and cause decrease in blood pressure to dangerous levels. Improper use of tadalafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems. Nortadalafil, being chemically similar to tadalafil, is expected to pose similar health risks.
 
     According to the PPO, illegal sale or possession of Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
 
     A DH spokesperson strongly urged members of the public not to buy or consume any product of doubtful composition. People who have purchased the above product should stop taking it immediately and consult healthcare professionals for advice if in doubt or feeling unwell after consumption. They may submit the product to the DH’s Drug Office at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.
 
     The public may visit the Drug Office’s webpage for the health message on sexual dysfunction and virility products and information on virility products found to contain undeclared Western medicines.