The Transport Department (TD) published a Gazette notice today (December 24) to invite applications for passenger service licences for the operation of two packages of public light bus (scheduled) routes (green minibus routes) in the New Territories and Kowloon.

     The two packages (covering a total of three routes) are:

(1) between Sheung Shui (San Fat Street) and Sha Tin (Yuen Chau Kok); and

(2) between Whampoa Garden and Festival Walk Public Transport Interchange; and
     between Whampoa Garden and Festival Walk Public Transport Interchange (supplementary service).
      
     Application forms are obtainable free of charge from the following TD offices:
      
(a) TD New Territories Regional Office, 7/F, Mongkok Government Offices, 30 Luen Wan Street, Kowloon;
(b) TD Urban (Hong Kong) Regional Office, 37/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; and
(c) TD Hong Kong Licensing Office, 3/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong.

     Applicants should refer to the details of the public light bus (scheduled) routes and "Guidance Notes for Applicants" attached in the application form when completing the application form.

     Completed application forms and supporting documents (one original and seven photocopies) must be submitted in a plain white envelope sealed and marked on the outside of the envelope with "Application for Passenger Service Licence(s) in Respect of the Packages of Public Light Bus (Scheduled) Routes Gazetted in December 2021" and placed in the TD Tender Box located at the reception counter of the TD Headquarters at 10/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, before noon on February 18, 2022 (Friday). Applications by any other means or submitted late will not be considered.

     The Government announced today (December 24) the appointment of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and four new members, and the re-appointment of five incumbent members to the Toys and Children's Products Safety Appeal Board Panel for a term of two years with effect from January 1, 2022. 
 
     Miss Abigail Wong Kei-yee and Miss Queenie Fiona Lau are appointed as the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Panel respectively.
 
     The new members are Ms Stephanie Hung Yu-jie, Dr Mak Shu-lun, Miss Tse Pui-pui and Miss Wong Men-chu. The re-appointed incumbent members are Mr Chan Ming-kei, Mr Desmond Cheung Chung-fu, Ms Pauline Lo Po-lin, Professor Shum Ho-cheung and Mr Jerome Wong Ching-long.
 
     Established under section 15 of the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, the Toys and Children's Products Safety Appeal Board Panel is responsible for hearing appeals against enforcement decisions or actions taken by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise under the Ordinance.
 
     The Panel's membership with effect from January 1, 2022, will be as follows:
 
Chairman
———–
Miss Abigail Wong Kei-yee
 
Deputy Chairman
——————-
Miss Queenie Fiona Lau
 
Members
———-
 
(1) Scientists or technologists with relevant expertise in toys or children's products
Dr Mak Shu-lun
Professor Shum Ho-cheung
Miss Tse Pui-pui
 
(2) Persons from the toys or children’s products industry
Mr Chan Ming-kei
Mr Desmond Cheung Chung-fu
Miss Wong Men-chu
 
(3) General public
Ms Stephanie Hung Yu-jie
Ms Pauline Lo Po-lin
Mr Jerome Wong Ching-long                   

     Firing practice will take place at two military sites, namely the San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range and the Tsing Shan Firing Range, next month (January).

     Red flags or red lamps will be hoisted at the firing areas before and during firing practice. For their safety, people are advised not to enter the firing area.

     Following are the dates and times for the firing practice sessions in January 2022:

San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range
———————————-
 

Tsing Shan Firing Range
—————————
 

     The Government has proposed to allow China Telecom Global Limited to install an optical fibre submarine cable of approximately 34.6 kilometres in length and 38 millimetres in diameter from Chung Hom Kok to the eastern boundary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The extent of the area of foreshore and seabed affected is described in the notice gazetted today (December 24).

     The proposed submarine cable is a section of the Asia Direct Cable System which is approximately 9,400 km in length, connecting Hong Kong with Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and the Mainland. The system will boost the external telecommunications capacity of Hong Kong, reinforcing Hong Kong as a key communications hub in Asia.  

     The proposed works are tentatively scheduled to commence in April 2022 for completion by August in the same year.
 
     The notice and its related plan are posted near the site. The plan is also available for inspection at:

* Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department (23/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong) where copies can be purchased on order;

* Southern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Southern District Office (G/F, Ocean Court, 3 Aberdeen Praya Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong);

* Islands Home Affairs Enquiry Centre (Tung Chung) of the Islands District Office (1/F, Tung Chung Post Office Building, 6 Mei Tung Street, Tung Chung, Lantau Island);

* Sai Kung Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Sai Kung District Office (G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories); and 

* Lands Department's website (www.landsd.gov.hk) under Government Notices.

     Any person who considers that he or she has an interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and seabed involved may submit a written objection to the Director of Lands, 20/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, within two months from the above-mentioned date, i.e. on or before February 24, 2022. The notice of such objection shall describe the interest, right or easement of the objector and the manner in which he or she will be allegedly affected.

     â€‹The Labour Department (LD) today (December 24) again reminded foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) to comply with social distancing measures announced by the Government.
      
     An LD spokesman said, "According to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) and the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I), a person who participates in a prohibited group gathering of more than four persons in public places or fails to wear a mask in accordance with the requirement may be charged a fixed penalty of $5,000. During the Christmas and New Year holidays, the LD will conduct mobile broadcasts in multiple languages at popular FDH gathering places across the territory to call upon FDHs to comply with the relevant requirements. On December 25 and 26 as well as January 1 and 2, 2022, the LD will, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Police Force, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Home Affairs Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, conduct joint operations for two consecutive weekends at Central, Tamar Park in Admiralty, Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, the footbridge near Fa Yuen Street in Mong Kok, Lai Chi Kok Park, etc. Relevant departments will take enforcement action against those who still refuse to abide by the regulations after repeated reminders.
      
     "We remind FDHs to strictly observe the requirements and appeal to them to avoid gatherings (including in boarding facilities), food sharing and other social activities on their rest days and holidays in order to safeguard their personal health and reduce the risk of infection."
      
     Hong Kong residents, including FDHs, can get vaccinated for COVID-19 free of charge. For booking and details, please visit the designated website of the Vaccination Programme (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk). The Government appeals to FDHs to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and others.
      
     Should FDHs and their employers have any enquiries on employment matters, they may contact the LD through the dedicated FDH hotline at 2157 9537 (manned by 1823), by email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk or through the online form on the dedicated portal (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk).