The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Chong Hing Bank Limited on suspicious mobile applications (Apps), which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the Apps concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the Apps should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     Hong Kong Customs today (August 21) alerted members of the public to five unsafe models of children's swimming seats. Test results indicated that the swimming seats could overturn and pose the risk of drowning to children. The public are advised not to let children use those swimming seats to ensure their safety.
 
      Customs earlier received a referral from a related organisation that suspected unsafe children's swimming seats were being supplied in the market. Customs officers immediately conducted spot checks in various districts and test-purchased five models of relevant products for safety tests. Upon examination by a laboratory, it was revealed that the five models of children's swimming seats could overturn and pose the risk of drowning to children. None of them have complied with the relevant safety standard, thereby contravening the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO).
 
      Customs officers later conducted an operation and seized 29 items of four suspected unsafe models of children's swimming seats from the sporting goods retailers and department stores concerned as well as the offices of their suppliers. Further items of the remaining model of children's swimming seat have not been found.
 
      An investigation is ongoing.
 
      Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and using inflatable swimming aids:
 

• Check for damage or leakage before purchasing and using the products;
• Read in detail the instructions for safe use of the products and the applicable ages;
• Children must be accompanied by an adult when using the relevant products;
• Adults should always pay attention to children's situations when using the relevant products; and
• Do not mistakenly use inflatable swimming products for lifesaving purposes.

 
     Under the CGSO, it is an offence to manufacture, supply or import consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.
 
     Members of the public with information relating to unsafe children's products or consumer goods may make a report via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

          

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-lowering ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 6pm today (August 21) will be cancelled.

     In view of the Government's announcement to gradually resume the provision of basic public services, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) announced today (August 21) that public services will be resumed in an orderly manner from August 24. The department will continue to adopt necessary precautionary measures to reduce the risk of the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
 
     The Registration and Permit Office at its Kowloon Bay headquarters will be open from 9am to 5.15pm from Monday to Friday. Crowd control measures will be implemented at the Office, which may lead to longer waiting times. Members of the public can still drop their applications, with cheques for payment, within office hours at the collection box located on the ground floor at the Kowloon Bay headquarters. The EMSD appeals to the public to minimise visiting its headquarters in person unless necessary, and to endeavour to submit their applications, with cheques for payment, by post. Applicants will be notified on the results by phone or mail. Members of the public should wear surgical masks at all times during their visits to the EMSD headquarters and comply with the infection control measures including temperature checks and crowd control arrangements.
 
     The EMSD Gallery and the EMSD Education Path will continue to be closed until further notice. For enquiries, please call 3757 6162 or email edpath@emsd.gov.hk.
              
     The EMSD will continue to monitor the situation closely and review the arrangements in a timely manner. For enquiries, please call 2333 3762 or email to info@emsd.gov.hk.

     The Home Affairs Department will open 19 temporary night heat shelters tonight (August 21) for people in need of the service.

     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.

     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The 19 night heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Districts:
———————

Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
——————

Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices,
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories Districts:
————————–

Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung

North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O

Sha Tin –
Hin Keng Neighbourhood Community Centre
5 Hin Wo Lane, Sha Tin

Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po

Tsuen Wan –
Shek Wai Kok Community Hall
Shek Wai Kok Estate, Tsuen Wan

Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun

Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long

Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai