The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 24) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.
     
     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     
     â€‹The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Apply a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours if you need to stay outdoors for a prolonged period, or after swimming, sweating or towelling off;
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
• Seek shade;
• Wear UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes; and
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.

    
     â€‹If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
     
     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     â€‹The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) extended the spirit of dragon boat racing celebrations to Ottawa and Vancouver, Canada, on June 20 and 21 (Vancouver and Ottawa time).

     The Acting Director of the Toronto ETO, Mr Gavin Yeung, attended the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival and Vancouver's Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival on June 20 and 21 respectively, to support two of Canada's most anticipated summer events while promoting cultural heritage.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival on June 20 (Ottawa time), Mr Yeung highlighted that the dragon boat race signified the strong ties between Hong Kong and Canada, as this water sport was introduced to Canada from Hong Kong nearly four decades ago. The Ottawa festival, held from June 20 to 22 (Ottawa time), featured over 100 teams and thrilled spectators with high-energy races and engaging cultural programmes from across the region.

     On June 21 (Vancouver time), the Toronto ETO continued the celebrations as Mr Yeung attended the flagship event in Vancouver, which organised Canada's first dragon boat racing event after receiving six teak dragon boats from Hong Kong in 1986. Since then, the festival has become an annual landmark celebration that connects the community.

     In his remarks, Mr Yeung welcomed visitors to explore Hong Kong's unique charm. "From the iconic Victoria Harbour and scenic hiking trails to a rich blend of heritage and modern architecture, and from vibrant culinary experiences to picturesque outlying islands, Hong Kong is both a cultural crossroads and a dynamic global metropolis. We warmly welcome members of the Canadian community to visit and experience Hong Kong," he said.

     Besides thrilling races, the Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival also featured live concerts, vendors and food trucks, and a mini-exhibition showcasing the history of dragon boating in Hong Kong. Attracting over 200 000 visitors and racers, it stands as the largest dragon boat celebration in North America.

        

     The Home Affairs Department (HAD) today (June 23) noted an unidentified individual impersonating "Tai Po District Officer" posting a statement under the name of the "Tai Po District Care Teams Alliance" in a Facebook group named "Tai Po". The HAD would like to point out clearly that the content of the aforementioned post and the so-called statement were false, and were not issued by Tai Po District Officer or District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams). In response to the post, the HAD has taken immediate action to report the case to the Police for investigation, and contact the relevant social media platform to request prompt removal of the false content.

     The Government will take serious action in accordance with the law against impersonation of public officers or posting of any false information in the name of Care Teams. The HAD calls on members of the public to remain vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to the HAD's hotline at 2835 2500 or to the Police. The public is also reminded to obtain accurate information through official Government channels and to refrain from trusting or forwarding unverified online messages.

     The formation of Care Teams aims to consolidate community resources to care for the community and strengthen district networks in support of district-based initiatives. Care Teams carry out caring activities, such as visiting those in need, and assist in handling incidents and emergencies. Care Teams also help the Government disseminate information and relay feedback of the community. For further details about the Care Teams, please visit the HAD website: www.had.gov.hk/en/public_services/district_services_community_care_teams. 

     Jointly organised by the Development Bureau (DEVB) and the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong Province (DHURDGP), the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Week is being held in Guangdong and Hong Kong from today (June 23) to June 28. It features a series of activities in both places, enabling the public to learn about the latest development of MiC and providing a platform for the industry to exchange relevant knowledge and experience to promote a wider adoption of MiC.
      
     The Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi), the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the MiC Laboratory of The University of Hong Kong, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Modular Integrated Construction Industry Alliance (Alliance) are co-organisers of the MiC Week.
      
     Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been actively promoting the adoption of MiC to enhance the productivity and cost-effectiveness of the construction industry. As of now, over 100 government and private projects have adopted this advanced construction method. She said that the HKSAR Government is implementing a series of measures to strengthen the supply chain of MiC, including the release of the Guangdong-Hong Kong Modular Integrated Construction Cross-boundary Trading Guidebook, the accreditation of MiC manufacturers, the announcement of the MiC Annual Demand Forecast and the enhancement of relevant training on MiC, as well as the research and development of new technologies. Among which, the DEVB plans to announce a new requirement for public works projects later this year to require MiC manufacturers to be accredited before bidding for tenders of relevant projects, with a view to streamlining the vetting and approval process and ensuring quality. She said that the Guangdong Province is the main manufacturing base for MiC modules in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), while Hong Kong possesses advantages in research and development as well as overseas promotion. The DEVB will continue to work closely with the Guangdong Provincial Government to build the GBA into a MiC technology and construction hub, and promote MiC to become a new quality productive force and a strategic industry that expands to the international arena.
      
     The Director-General of the DHURDGP, Mr Zhang Yong, said in his speech that high-quality and reliable MiC products from Guangdong have been gradually applied in various projects in Hong Kong including office buildings, school dormitories, public housing and private buildings, making positive contributions to the urban development and the security of people’s livelihoods in Hong Kong. From January to May this year, Guangdong exported MiC modules with a total value of about $1.39 billion to Hong Kong, a year-on-year increase of 2.3 times, demonstrating strong technical and supply capabilities. Building on the development of a supply chain that fully supports Hong Kong, Guangdong has also progressively developed application scenarios such as schools, hospitals and talent accommodation, and explored MiC technology innovations for projects including super-high-rise buildings and in-situ redevelopment, advancing pilot modular projects for urban development.
      
     The unveiling ceremony of the Alliance was also held during the launching ceremony. With membership comprising industry associations, higher education institutions, research institutes, enterprises, experts and scholars from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, the Alliance aims to promote the development of MiC in the GBA, aligning with the national strategies of high-quality development and green building.
      
     In addition, the Guangdong-Hong Kong Modular Integrated Construction Cross-boundary Trading Guidebook compiled by the DEVB was also released at the launching ceremony. The guidebook provides manufacturers with guidelines on application for bonded processing trade arrangements for MiC materials and cross-boundary tax declarations for exporting MiC modules to Hong Kong, enabling all parties in the MiC supply chain in the GBA to conduct MiC cross-boundary trade more conveniently and efficiently.
      
     The Chairperson of the BTRi, Mr Hon Chi-keung, also presented accreditation certificates to the first batch of eight manufacturers accredited under the MiC Manufacturer Accreditation Scheme at the launching ceremony. All manufacturers accredited under the scheme have passed stringent review by the BTRi and its assessment panel. The scheme can enhance the industry’s confidence in MiC quality, help strengthen the MiC supply chain and meet the growing demand for local MiC projects.
      
     The Chairman of the CIC, Professor Thomas Ho, also announced the first MiC Annual Demand Forecast jointly published by the DEVB and the CIC at the launching ceremony to help the industry plan ahead and invest in production capacity in order to meet demand.
      
     The launching ceremony attracted over 1 000 participants who took part both online and offline. Other activities of the MiC Week include International Conference on Modular Integrated Construction, an enterprise forum, a design workshop, a site visit to a MiC project, a guided tour for public and more. Details are available on its website.