Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (May 31) announced the implementation of two more new measures to combat touting activities.
      
     Starting from June 20, members of the public will no longer be allowed to book the department’s fee-charging leisure and sports facilities on behalf of another person using a copy of other’s identity document at Leisure Link booking counters in leisure venues or District Leisure Services Offices. The new measure aims to prevent “queuing gangs” from abusing the existing arrangement. Hirers will have to produce their original identity documents when making a booking at any booking counter. They may also choose to use the Leisure Link e-Services System (LLES) or the self-service kiosks to book the facilities.
      
     The department will also launch on the same day (June 20) the Turf Soccer Pitches Balloting Pilot Scheme in response to strong public demand for turf soccer pitches. Sessions at turf soccer pitches will be allocated by balloting while the remaining sessions will be available for booking after the deadline on a first-come, first-served basis, with a view to providing a fair and impartial booking mechanism.
      
     Under the pilot scheme, registered Leisure Link patrons can submit their balloting applications for turf soccer pitches (except multi-purpose turf pitches) through the LLES. Patrons can enquire about sessions at turf soccer pitches available for balloting on the 15th day from the day of checking. They can then submit their balloting applications on the following day. For example, patrons can check on July 1 the sessions available at turf soccer pitches on July 15 through the LLES and then submit their balloting applications on July 2. Each Leisure Link patron can only apply for one session of turf soccer pitch on each balloting date. Sessions will be allocated by computer balloting on the day following the application deadline. Successful applicants will receive an email notification in the morning of the balloting day and should confirm the booking with payment through the LLES by the deadline (i.e. 11pm on the following day of balloting). Any sessions on hold without payment confirmation and other remaining sessions will be made available for booking after the deadline through various Leisure Link booking channels within 10 days on a first-come, first-served basis.
      
     For the balloting procedures of the pilot scheme and information on the turf soccer pitches available for balloting, please visit the LCSD webpage or call the enquiry hotline at 2679 6822.
      
     Members of the public who are interested in booking turf soccer pitches are urged to register as Leisure Link patrons as soon as possible. Applicants may register online, at Leisure Link Self-service Kiosks or in person at the Leisure Link Services Centre with their Hong Kong Identity Card. They may also apply by sending a completed application form by post or by fax. For detailed information, please visit the LCSD webpage.
      
     A spokesman for the LCSD said that the department will continue to monitor the situation and introduce more anti-touting measures when necessary. read more

     A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau today (May 31) reminded members of the public that the fixed penalties for five congestion-related traffic contraventions under the Fixed Penalty (Criminal Proceedings) Ordinance will be revised with effect from tomorrow (June 1).

     The resolution to increase such fixed penalties was passed by the Legislative Council on January 17. The relevant traffic contraventions and the revised penalty charges are as follows:
 

Item	Traffic Contravention	Fixed Penalty Charge
1	Unlawfully entering box junction	Raised from $320 to $400
2	U-turn causing obstruction
3	Unauthorised stopping at bus stop/public light bus stand/taxi stand/public light bus stopping place
4	Stopping public bus, public light bus or taxi longer than necessary when picking up/setting down passengers
5	Picking up/setting down passengers in restricted zone	Raised from $450 to $560

     The spokesman stressed that traffic congestion has been worsening in recent years and it is necessary to raise the fixed penalties for the congestion-related traffic contraventions to restore their deterrent effect. The Government will continue to study the timely increase of the fixed penalties for other congestion-related traffic contraventions.
 
     Furthermore, all Magistrates’ Courts will cease to collect penalties in relation to traffic contravention fixed penalty notices issued by the Hong Kong Police Force or the Housing Department on or after June 1. If the person concerned has not paid the fixed penalty before the prescribed deadline, or wishes to dispute the legal liability of the traffic contravention, court proceedings will commence. For all cases in which court proceedings have commenced, members of the public may continue to pay the penalties at the Magistrates’ Courts concerned in accordance with the instructions of the courts.
 
     “Members of the public can make penalty payments by means listed on the fixed penalty notices, including bank automated teller machines; PPS; the Internet; phone-banking services provided by banks; by post to PO Box No. 28000, Gloucester Road Post Office, Hong Kong; and at counters of post offices (other than mobile post offices) personally or by an agent,” the spokesman said. read more

     Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, at the Legislative Council Complex today (May 31): Reporter: Professor, the Government has proceeded to increase the nu… read more

     Following is a reminder of the press releases on statistical data to be issued between June and August 2018. The schedule for issuing press releases on statistical data in 2018 was provided to the media in September 2017. No change has been made to the original schedule.

June 2018
=======

Date     Press Release
—–     —————-
5          Statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers
            for first quarter 2018
11        Quarterly business receipts indices for service 
            industries for first quarter 2018
11        Construction output statistics for first quarter
            2018
11        Statistics on trade involving outward processing in
            the mainland of China for first quarter 2018
14        Index of industrial production and producer price
            index for the industrial sector for first quarter 2018
14        Gross National Income and external primary income
            flows for first quarter 2018
14        Volume and price statistics of external merchandise
            trade for April 2018
19        Unemployment and underemployment statistics for
            March – May 2018
19        Chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product by
            economic activity for first quarter 2018
21        Consumer Price Index for May 2018
21        Employment and vacancies statistics for March 2018
22        Balance of Payments and International Investment
            Position statistics for first quarter 2018
26        External merchandise trade statistics for May 2018
26        Wage and payroll statistics for March 2018

July 2018
======

Date     Press Release
—–     —————-
3          Retail sales statistics for May 2018
19        Unemployment and underemployment statistics
            for April – June 2018
19        Volume and price statistics of external merchandise
            trade for May 2018
20        Business expectations for third quarter 2018
23        Consumer Price Index for June 2018
26        External merchandise trade statistics for June 2018

August 2018
========

Date     Press Release
—–     —————-
1          Retail sales statistics for June 2018
3          Restaurant receipts and purchases statistics for
            second quarter 2018
9          Volume and price statistics of external merchandise
            trade for June 2018
10        Gross Domestic Product for second quarter 2018: data
            contained in the press release entitled “Economic Situation
            in the Second Quarter of 2018 and Latest GDP and Price
            Forecasts for 2018″ issued by The Office of the Government
            Economist under the Financial Secretary’s Office (Note)
14        Mid-year population for 2018
17        Unemployment and underemployment statistics for
            May – July 2018
21        Consumer Price Index for July 2018
27        External merchandise trade statistics for July 2018
30        Retail sales statistics for July 2018

Note: The Office of the Government Economist under the Financial Secretary’s Office will issue a press release on the Half-yearly Economic Report 2018 and second update of the GDP and prices forecasts for 2018 as a whole. The GDP for the second quarter of 2018 will also be released there. No separate press release on the GDP for the second quarter of 2018 will be issued by the Census and Statistics Department on that day.

     The schedule for regular press releases in the other months of 2018 can be downloaded from the website of the Census and Statistics Department (www.censtatd.gov.hk/press_release/index.jsp). read more

     The Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the Labour Department (LD) will launch a wide range of occupational safety and health training courses in the second half of 2018. The courses aim at enhancing the working population’s understanding of the legal requirements and standards stipulated under occupational safety regulations, and their awareness of occupational health.
 
     The training courses cover a wide range of topics, including:
 

1. Major Safety Regulations related to Industrial Accident Prevention
2. Major Health Regulations related to Industrial Accident Prevention
3. Safety Management Regulation cum Ethics and Integrity for Occupational Safety and Health Practitioners
4. Safety Regulations related to Risk Assessment
5. Major Safety Regulations related to Accident Prevention in Office Work
6. Safety Regulations on Working in times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment
7. A Brief Introduction to Safety Regulations related to Working on Construction Sites cum a Brief Introduction to Codes of Practice related to Working on Construction Sites
8. Safety Regulations on Working at Height and a Brief Introduction to Safety Regulations related to Electrical Work on Construction Sites cum Codes of Practice on Scaffolds
9. Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear Regulations cum Codes of Practice for Safe Use of Cranes
10. Major Safety Regulations related to Renovation, Maintenance, Alteration and Addition Works
11. Major Safety Regulations related to Working in the Catering Trade
12. Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and Regulation
13. Safety Regulations on Manual Handling Operations
14. Dangerous Substances Regulations
15. Health Hints on the Use of Display Screen Equipment cum More Exercise Smart Work
16. Occupational Stress
17. First Aid Care in the Workplace
18. Strategies for the Prevention of Occupational Diseases cum Work & Healthy Lifestyle

     The courses will mainly be conducted in Cantonese at the LD’s Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre, 13/F, Kolour · Tsuen Wan I, 68 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan. Enrolment is free.

     Application forms are available at the training centre or offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Branch of the LD. They can also be downloaded from the department’s website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/form.htm). For enquiries, please call 2940 7057. read more