The following is issued on behalf of the Community Care Fund Secretariat:
 
     The Community Care Fund (CCF) will start accepting applications from three-person households for the "One-off Living Subsidy for Low-income Households Not Living in Public Housing and Not Receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA)" Programme (2020) from tomorrow (September 1). The amount of the subsidy for three-person households is $12,500.
 
     Beneficiaries should currently be renting accommodation on a monthly basis (or for longer tenures) in private housing, industrial buildings, commercial buildings or social housing operated by non-governmental organisations (NGOs); renting bedspaces offered under the Home Affairs Department's Singleton Hostel Programme or bedspaces in hostels operated by NGOs for rehabilitated offenders; residing in temporary housing; living on board vessels; or being homeless. Their monthly income must not exceed the specified limits. They should not be receiving CSSA or own any property in Hong Kong. For persons renting accommodation in private housing, industrial buildings, commercial buildings or social housing, their monthly rent should not exceed the specified rent limits. The income and rent limits for three-person households are $26,800 and $13,400 respectively.
 
     Eligible three-person households should submit applications to the service units assisting in the implementation of the programme near their residence by post or in person starting from tomorrow. A drop-box arrangement is provided in some service units. Households comprising solely elderly persons aged 60 or above, households comprising solely young persons aged 24 or below, or the homeless can submit applications to elderly service units, youth service units or service units accepting applications from the homeless respectively by the deadline of November 30. Application forms and the programme brief can be downloaded at the CCF website (www.communitycarefund.hk). In view that some service units may have suspended service or may only provide limited non-emergency service due to the epidemic situation, applicants are advised to submit applications by post. Applicants who wish to submit applications to the service units in person are suggested to call the service units for the operating hours. Service units may require applicants to make bookings in advance. 
 
     The Secretariat and service units will vet each application, including verifying the eligibility, checking the supporting documents submitted, and conducting home visits/income tests on selected applications. The Secretariat will issue notifications of results to applicants after vetting applications and disburse the subsidy to eligible households through bank transfer or in the form of order cheques.
 
     The Programme was launched on July 2 to relieve the financial pressure on low-income households. The Secretariat started accepting applications from one-person households and two-person households on July 2 and August 3 respectively. As at August 30, the Secretariat has received more than 25 000 applications, and the Secretariat is handling such applications.
 
     The CCF will accept applications from four-or-more-person households and all households from October 5 to November 30.
 
     For details of the programme, please visit the CCF website (www.communitycarefund.hk) or call the programme hotline on 2180 6666.

     The Government announced today (August 31) the establishment of the Advisory Committee for Regulatory Standards for Private Healthcare Facilities (Advisory Committee) in accordance with the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance with effect from September 1, 2020, for a term of three years.

     The Advisory Committee is tasked to advise the Director of Health on matters relating to the regulation of private healthcare facilities, including devising and reviewing regulatory standards of private healthcare facilities as set out in the Codes of Practice, advising on matters relating to licensing, regulation and compliance with the standards as well as making recommendations to enhance safety and quality standards of private healthcare facilities through regulation.

     The Advisory Committee will be chaired by Professor Raymond Liang Hin-suen, and comprises members from the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine and its constituent colleges, the Hospital Authority, and representatives from academia, private hospitals as well as registered medical practitioners' and dentists' associations.

     The membership of the Advisory Committee is as follows:

Chairperson
———–
Professor Raymond Liang Hin-suen

Members (in alphabetical order of surnames)
————
Dr Chan Kui-fat
Dr Chan Wai-lam
Dr David Chao Vai-kiong
Dr Cheng Pak-man
Dr Chow Yu-fat
Professor Edward Lai Cheuck-seen
Dr May Lam Mei-ling
Dr Law Chun-key
Dr Lee Koon-hung
Professor Gilberto Leung Ka-kit
Dr Leung Tse-ngong
Dr Vincent Leung Tze-ching
Professor Philip Li Kam-tao
Dr Wong Yiu-kai
Dr John Woo Kong-sang
Dr Clara Wu Wing-yee

Co-opted Members
————————
Professor Chair Sek-ying
Dr Gabriel Choi Kin
Dr William Ho Shiu-wei
Dr Samuel Kwok Po-yin
Dr Lau Ka-hin
Dr Raymond Lo See-kit
Professor Joseph Lui Cho-ze
Professor Enders Ng Kwok-wai
Dr Century Tsang Hin-kei
Dr Sky Wong Tin-hau
Professor Cynthia Yiu Kar-yung

     Following is a reminder of the press releases on statistical data to be issued between September and December 2020. The schedule for issuing press releases on statistical data in 2020 was provided to the media in September 2019. No change has been made to the original schedule.
 

      The schedule for regular press releases in the other months of 2020 can be downloaded from the website of the Census and Statistics Department (www.censtatd.gov.hk/press_release/index.jsp).

     As the Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate precautions to prevent heat stroke when working in a hot or humid environment.
 
     Heat stroke could occur if an employee works in a hot or humid environment for prolonged periods of time, as the body may fail to regulate its temperature by effective heat dissipation through sweating.
 
     The symptoms of heat-related illnesses include feeling thirsty, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, muscle spasm or even mental confusion, and loss of consciousness or convulsion in severe cases.
 
     Construction workers, cleaning workers, kitchen workers and porters, for example, are more prone to heat stroke as they may be working for long hours in such an environment, especially if appropriate preventive measures have not been taken.
 
     The LD reminds employers to arrange for a suitable assessment of the risk of heat stress in the work environment and take appropriate preventive measures. The LD has produced two leaflets entitled "Checklist for Heat Stress Assessment at Construction Sites" and "Checklist for Heat Stress Assessment at Outdoor Cleansing Workplaces" respectively. Employers engaged in construction or outdoor cleaning work are advised to refer to these checklists in assessing the risk of heat stress at their workplaces. As for heat stress assessment at a workplace in general, employers can refer to a booklet entitled "Risk Assessment for the Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" produced by the LD.
 
     The LD also reminds employers and employees to take the following precautions to prevent heat stroke:
 
Employers
———
(1) Take heed of the weather report and adopt shift work arrangements for employees to reduce their exposure to the hot environment, or arrange appropriate rest breaks for them during very hot periods;
(2) Avoid working under direct sunlight and set up temporary sunshade wherever possible;
(3) Provide cool potable water for employees at all times during work. If necessary, provide drinks containing electrolytes for employees to replenish loss of salt during profuse sweating;
(4) Minimise physical demands by using tools or mechanical aids at work;
(5) Increase air flow by enhancing ventilation or air-conditioning as appropriate;
(6) Isolate heat-generating facilities at the workplace and use insulating materials to minimise heat dissipation to the other work areas; and
(7) Provide relevant information and training for employees on heat stroke such as preventive measures and first aid treatment.
 
Employees
———
(1) Wear clothing made of suitable materials (for example, cotton) that is loose-fitting and light-coloured to help heat dissipation, minimise heat absorption and allow sweat evaporation;
(2) Wear a wide-brimmed hat when working outdoors;
(3) Drink plenty of water or other appropriate beverages with electrolytes to replenish the fluids and salt lost through sweating; and
(4) Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, rest in a cool or shady place and drink water, and inform supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
 
     The LD also urges employers to provide for employees as far as practicable covered space with good ventilation for rest and meals. Furthermore, some employees may have difficulty in adapting to a hot working environment owing to their own health conditions. Employers should take this into account and consider the recommendations of their doctors when assigning work to these employees.
 
     In addition to the publications on risk assessment, the LD has produced a leaflet entitled "Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work in a Hot Environment" for the public. The publications can be obtained free of charge from the offices of the Occupational Health Service of the LD, or downloaded from the department's webpage at www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_9.htm.
      
     In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, scheduled occupational health talks on the prevention of heat stroke at work in a hot environment have been temporarily cancelled until further notice.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 31) 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.

     "The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. 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 late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     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.

     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;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming, sweating or toweling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     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.

     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 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.