An unlicensed collector and a person-in-charge of an open-air storage site were convicted and fined a total of $13,500 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (January 4) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation (CWR) respectively by illegally collecting and handling spent lubricating oil. The Court also ordered the confiscation of the 111 drums of spent lubricating oil seized in the case.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has been endeavouring to combat illegal collection and handling of spent lubricating oil. Last June, enforcement officers of the EPD carried out operations according to intelligence received, and successfully tracked and intercepted a truck driver who was illegally collecting and transporting spent lubricating oil to an open-air storage area in Yuen Long. A total of 111 drums of spent lubricating oil, approximately 20 000 litres in capacity, were seized. After gathering evidence, the EPD initiated prosecutions in accordance with the WDO and the CWR. The truck driver, serving as an unlicensed waste collector, was charged with collecting chemical waste without a licence and failing to transport chemical waste to licensed disposal facilities for treatment. The person-in-charge of the open-air storage site involved was charged with improper storage of chemical waste, including failure to provide proper warning signs and chemical waste spill containment installations at the site.

     A spokesman for the EPD stressed that spent lubricating oil generated from recycling sites and vehicle maintenance workshops, which are classified as chemical waste, contain various toxic chemicals. Improper handling and storing of such waste will cause the spent lubricating oil to leak into nearby drains and soil, which pollutes the environment and causes harm to public health. The spokesman reminded members of the recycling trade and the vehicle repair business that they must register as chemical waste producers with the EPD in accordance with the CWR. Chemical waste must be properly packaged, labelled and stored, and has to be collected by licensed chemical waste collectors for delivery to licensed chemical waste disposal facilities for treatment.

     Anyone engaged in the illegal collection, storage and disposal of chemical waste will be prosecuted. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. Members of the public may visit the EPD's website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.

  

     The Government announced today (January 4) that in view of the latest global developments of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Martinique will be specified as a Group A specified place from 0.00am on January 7 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.

     To manage and prevent the importation risks posed by Omicron cases, the Government will continue to employ the most stringent measures to guard against importation of cases. Overseas places where Omicron cases have been detected that may lead to local transmission and exportation of cases will be specified as Group A specified places. Noting that the detection of Omicron cases was confirmed in Martinique, the Government will specify it as a Group A specified place from 0.00am on January 7. Non-Hong Kong residents who have stayed there within 21 days will not be allowed to enter Hong Kong. Hong Kong residents can only board a flight for Hong Kong if they have been fully vaccinated and hold a recognised vaccination record. They will have to undergo compulsory quarantine in a designated quarantine hotel for 21 days upon returning to Hong Kong, with six tests to be conducted during quarantine, followed by compulsory testing in a community testing centre on the 26th day of arrival in Hong Kong.

     Details on the relevant boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements for respective specified places can be found at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html.

     The Government will gazette the relevant updated specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) to effect the above measures.

     Police today (January 4) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tseung Kwan O.

     Heung Man-ki, aged 28, went missing after he left his residence at Ming Tak Estate on January 2 morning. His family made a report to Police yesterday (January 3).

     He is about 1.5 metres tall, 45 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a long face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a blue jacket, blue short-sleeve T-shirt, dark colour trousers and black sports shoes.
      
     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0316 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The nomination period for the office of the President of the Seventh Legislative Council (LegCo) closed at 5pm today (January 4).
 
     As there is only one valid nomination, the Clerk to LegCo declares Mr Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen elected as the President of the Seventh LegCo.

     In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in 2022, primary and secondary school students and the public are now invited to take part in the WhatsApp sticker design and four-frame photo competitions organised by the Information Services Department (ISD) to send their blessings and share their aspirations for the future of Hong Kong in a creative way.

     Under the theme of "Blessings for HKSAR 25th Birthday", the WhatsApp sticker design competition welcomes primary school pupils to unleash their creativity and design a series of fun, lively and useful stickers to send their birthday blessings for Hong Kong.

     The four-frame photo competition, with the theme of "New Era with a Bright Future", comes in two categories – one for secondary school students and the other open to the public. Participants can take photos of the diverse facets of Hong Kong – its cityscapes and its people – to create a four-frame visual story, expressing their hope and confidence in the bright future of the city. Participants must enrol as an individual in either one of the categories and submit only one entry. The open category welcomes residents of all ages to join.

     The competitions are organised by the ISD and supported by the Education Bureau, with Ming Pao as a co-organiser. Interested students of primary and secondary schools, and members of the public can download the enrolment form from the dedicated website (www.hksar25contests.com). Entries can also be submitted online via the website. The enrolment deadline is March 11.

     Each category of the WhatsApp sticker design competition (primary school category) and the four-frame photo competition (secondary school and open categories) will have one champion, a first runner-up, a second runner-up and five merit awards. To encourage participation of more students, a top participating school award will be given out to three schools each in the primary and secondary school categories.

     Scholarships or cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 and trophies will be awarded to winners while winning schools will be awarded book vouchers and trophies. Winning entries may be displayed at a roving exhibition to celebrate the HKSAR 25th anniversary and other venues. The winning sticker designs will be made available online for the public to download.

     For more details, please visit www.hksar25contests.com or call 2595 3029 (Ming Pao).