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.

     A spokesman for the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (September 13) that the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) under the HAD continued to step up inspections of premises licensed by the OLA (including hotels, guesthouses, club-houses and amusement game centres) and take stringent enforcement actions against premises operators, staff and customers in premises that defy the anti-epidemic regulations. In respect of the recent epidemic situation, the OLA will proactively take stringent enforcement actions on an ongoing basis. Premises operators and the public are urged not to defy the law, but to work together to reduce the risk of virus transmission in the community.
 
     The spokesman reminds the licensees, customers and guests to strictly comply with the requirements and directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) etc., including the requirement on the Red Code and Amber Code under the Vaccine Pass (i.e. including using the "QR Code Verification Scanner" mobile application developed by the Government to scan patron's vaccination record or exemption certificate, updating the application to the version 4.4.0 or above and maintaining the mobile device connected to the internet); and customers of catering premises participating in a banquet activity have to comply with the rapid antigen test requirement.

     From September 1 to 12, the inspection and enforcement figures of the OLA under the HAD in respect of scheduled premises licensed by it are set out below:
 

 
     Moreover, the OLA also required the premises found with irregularities to, on the subsequent day of being identified of the irregularities by the enforcement officers, take corresponding measures for reducing the risk of transmission. The details of the case numbers are as follows:
 

 
     The HAD strongly appealed to all persons-in-charge and patrons of the premises again to stay vigilant and continue to comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease, in a concerted and persistent manner, with a view to keeping their staff, customers and the public safe, and controlling the epidemic situation. The HAD will continue to strengthen its publicity efforts and enforcement actions. All trades are reminded to exercise self-discipline and comply with the regulations to fight the virus together.

     Four metal scrap recycling sites located in the vicinity of Kai Pak Ling Road, Yuen Long, all operated by the Champion Union Holdings Limited, failed to comply with the statutory notices of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and causing environmental nuisances to nearby residents. The recycling sites today (September 13) were convicted at the Fanling Magistrates' Court of six offences under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO) and fined a total of $48,000.
      
     During several inspections conducted by enforcement officers of the EPD last year, they found that the four metal scrap recycling sites mentioned above had not properly covered or enclosed the metal stock to prevent dust emissions and failed to prevent dust, grit or particles emissions when operating the plant or equipment, causing environmental nuisances to nearby residents and pedestrians. Statutory notices were issued under the APCO requesting the four recycling sites to take remedial measures. Upon six inspections after the deadline as stipulated in the statutory notices, the department found that the recycling site failed to adopt improvement measures and thus violated the requirement of the notice. The EPD then initiated prosecutions against the recycling sites.
      
     Recent inspections conducted by officers revealed that two of the recycling sites had been closed and emptied.
      
     An EPD spokesman reminded operators of metal recycling sites to properly cover or enclose metal material storage piles, and take effective measures such as well-equipped automatic sprinkler systems to prevent dust emissions. Upon receipt of a statutory notice issued by the EPD, operators must comply with the notice requirements to carry out relevant improvement works within the specified time.

     According to the APCO, anyone who fails to comply with the statutory notice requirements commits an offence. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 on first conviction. A maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on subsequent convictions.

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, together with the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, met with Council members of the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing (HKAN) today (September 13) to exchange views on topics in relation to the manpower and professional development of nurses.
      
     At the meeting, Professor Lo discussed with HKAN Council members the latest progress, effectiveness and way forward of the Voluntary Scheme on Advanced and Specialised Nursing Practice (the Scheme). Professor Lo was pleased to note that the Scheme has progressed well, and he encouraged the HKAN to keep on assisting and fostering the further development of the Scheme.
      
     Professor Lo said, "Over the years, the HKAN has endeavoured to promote the training of advanced practice nurses and actively enhance the standards of the nursing profession. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the HKAN for its continuous support to the Government in taking forward various healthcare policies and the training and development of the nursing profession."
      
     The meeting also touched upon the manpower shortage of local nurses and various relevant measures of manpower training. Professor Lo stated that the Government would continue to allocate resources to increase the local nursing training places. In the face of the severe manpower shortage of nurses, especially in the public healthcare system, the Government will also actively explore and consider appropriate measures, as well as maintain communication with relevant stakeholders to harness the collective wisdom and insights.
      
     With the Government's extensive efforts in developing and establishing the primary healthcare system in recent years, Professor Lo suggested the HKAN at the meeting to add primary healthcare elements to their training programmes or activities, so that nurses can provide more effective support to primary healthcare, thereby further alleviating the pressure on the public healthcare system and enhancing the health of the general public.

  

     The Government announced today (September 13) that a quarantine hotel initially reserved for air crew will join the eighth cycle of the Designated Quarantine Hotel (DQH) Scheme starting from the day after tomorrow (September 15) and another DQH will increase its supply of hotel rooms. In addition, new clauses will be added to the contracts for the ninth cycle of the Scheme to allow the DQH guests identified as confirmed cases to stay in their original hotel to undergo isolation.  
 
     Newly joining the eighth cycle of the Scheme is the EAST Hong Kong in Eastern District. The hotel will start accepting room bookings and operating from the day after tomorrow. Besides, the Four Points by Sheraton Hong Kong in Tung Chung will provide extra hotel rooms. Taking into account the aforementioned new hotel and the hotels withdrew early from the Scheme for various reasons at an earlier time, there are altogether 62 hotels for the eighth cycle of the Scheme, offering around 23 600 rooms as a whole.
 
     The eighth cycle of the Scheme runs from August 1 to October 31. The Government will timely update the list of DQHs and their booking status on the thematic website.
 
     Separately, the Government issued letters to enlist hotels or guesthouses with valid licenses to join the ninth cycle of the DQH Scheme with a view to facilitating the planning of DQHs and inbound travellers. Also, new clauses will be added to the contracts for DQHs in the new cycle, having considered the current epidemic development and assessed the latest inbound anti-epidemic requirements and related circumstances, to allow DQH guests identified as confirmed cases to stay in their original hotel to undergo isolation.
 
     At present, DQH guests who are identified as confirmed cases are sent to isolation hotels or the community isolation facilities in Penny's Bay/Kai Tak. According to the new clauses of the ninth cycle of the Scheme, DQH guests identified as confirmed cases will be allowed to stay in the hotel for isolation on their choice and a self-paid basis. However, DQHs must strengthen its relevant infection control measures, such as arranging specific floors or rooms to isolate the confirmed cases and installing additional air purifiers at appropriate locations. Hotel staff will also have to put on appropriate personal protective gears to reduce the risk of contracting the virus. The arrangement will save confirmed cases from travelling and enable better utilisation of manpower and vehicles originally deployed for transporting confirmed cases, while reducing the transmission risk during the transportation process. 
 
     The Office of the Designated Quarantine Hotel Scheme will discuss with the industry on implementation details to ensure that the aforementioned arrangement will be put into practice under the principles of ensuring proper isolation arrangements for confirmed cases in hotel and avoiding any increasing risk of infection for hotel staff.