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Author Archives: hksar gov

Update on number of dengue fever cases

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 25) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
 
     From May 18 to 24, the CHP recorded one confirmed DF case and the patient had been to Thailand during the incubation period.  
 
     As of yesterday (May 24), 22 cases had been confirmed this year, all of which were imported cases. The cases were mainly imported from Thailand (nine), the Philippines (six), Cambodia (two) and Vietnam (two).
 
     DF remains endemic in some areas in Asia. The latest figures for 2018 reveal that 11 704 cases have been recorded in Thailand, 1 043 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 35 in Japan.
 
     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

  • Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
  • Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
  • Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
  • Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
  • Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
  • Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
  • Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.
 
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika virus infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 
  • Read the label instructions carefully first;
  • Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
  • Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
  • Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
  • Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
  • Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a concentration of DEET of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP’s tips for using insect repellents for details. read more

East Asia

Employer fined for late payment of wages

     Super Dragon Management Limited was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for failing to pay an employee’s wages, totalling $108,000, within seven days after the expiry of the wage period as required by the Employment Ordinance (EO). The employer was fined $60,000 after pleading guilty at Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (May 25).

     “The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers that they have to pay the wages to employees within the time limit stipulated in the EO,” an LD spokesman said.

     “The LD will not tolerate these offences and will continue to make dedicated efforts in enforcing the EO and safeguarding employees’ statutory rights,” the spokesman added. read more

East Asia

Hong Kong e-Legislation set to be only government legislation website

     Hong Kong e-Legislation (HKeL) will be the only government legislation website from July 1, 2018, following the discontinuation of the previous Bilingual Laws Information System (BLIS) website on the same date, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice (DoJ) said today (May 25). 
      
     HKeL was launched in February 2017. To facilitate the transition from BLIS to HKeL, the two websites have been running in parallel. After consulting the HKeL Liaison Group and considering the views of the legal profession, it has been decided that BLIS will discontinue service on July 1, 2018.
      
     The spokesperson said, “We have been giving advance notice on the decommissioning of BLIS through various channels since December 2017. To assist our users in transitioning to the HKeL regime, we have published user’s guides on how to perform basic BLIS functions in HKeL and how to maintain printed copies of legislation. Briefing sessions on HKeL and its advance functionalities have also been arranged for members of the legal profession.

     “We are committed to improving and enhancing the functionality and user-friendliness of HKeL. Since its launch, we have introduced a number of enhancements, for example, the Chapter Number Index was enhanced so that users could conveniently download PDF copies of different chapters using the Index. A progress bar was also added to the ‘view legislation’ page to show users the loading progress of a chapter.
      
     “Further enhancements will be introduced in the coming months to facilitate quicker and easier access to legislation.”
      
     The spokesperson added that the HKeL website marks a new milestone in the Government’s efforts to facilitate public access to information on legislation. The Government will continue to listen to the views of users to enhance HKeL for the benefit of the general public and the legal profession.   read more

East Asia