Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:
 
     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force, they should assess the risk of heat stroke to their employees and adopt effective preventive measures such as providing cool drinking water, setting up temporary sunshade, providing mechanical aids to reduce physical exertion of employees and providing for employees as far as practicable covered space with good ventilation for rest and meals. Employees should drink water regularly and be mindful of their physical condition. If early heat stroke symptoms such as headache and thirst appear, they should rest in a cool or shady place and drink water immediately. They should also inform their supervisors to take appropriate action.

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.

     The Government announced today (August 14) that the Chief Executive has appointed Dr Lam Tai-fai as the Chairman of the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) Board of Advisors (BoA), and Professor Ronald Chiu Ying-chun and Dr Thomas So Shiu-tsung as new members. Ten serving members were re-appointed. They will serve for a new term of two years with effect from September 1, 2020.

     Commenting on the appointments, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said, "Dr Lam has rich experience in public services. I am confident that he can lead the BoA to assist RTHK in fully achieving its public purposes and mission as set out in the Charter of RTHK."

     Mr Yau thanked the 10 serving members for accepting the appointments to continue to serve on the BoA, and welcomed the new members to join, saying that with their professional knowledge and rich community experience, they could facilitate the work of the BoA.

     Mr Yau expressed his appreciation to the outgoing Chairman, Dr Eugene Chan Kin-keung, and members, Mr Walter Chan Kar-lok and Mr Mohan Datwani.

     "Since the establishment of the BoA in 2010, Dr Chan has served as a member and the Chairman and offered valuable advice to RTHK over a 10-year period. I sincerely thank him and other outgoing members for their contributions to the work of the BoA," he said.

     The membership of the BoA commencing September 1, 2020, will be as follows:

Non-official members
—————————
Dr Lam Tai-fai (Chairman)
Ms Dilys Chau Suet-fung
Professor Ronald Chiu Ying-chun
Ms Linda Choy Siu-min
Professor Anthony Fung Ying-him
Ms Helen Kwan Po-jen
Ms Shirley Loo Marie Therese
Dr Thomas So Shiu-tsung
Dr Tik Chi-yuen
Ms Eva Wong Ching-hung
Mr Augustine Wong Ho-ming
Professor Wong Kam-fai
Ms Wu Siu-ling

Ex-officio member
———————-
Director of Broadcasting

     The Department of Health announced today (August 13) that a staff member of its Kennedy Town Community Complex Dental Clinic has tested preliminarily positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tonight. In consideration of public health and hygiene, the clinic will be closed for thorough cleaning and disinfection immediately. Affected clients will be contacted to reschedule their service appointments, and the General Public Session of the clinic tomorrow (August 14) will be suspended.

     â€‹The staff member concerned is a clerical grade staff with no recent travel history. He is a household contact of a confirmed case announced today. He developed symptoms while waiting for admission to quarantine camp and was sent to hospital for testing. He was notified of the preliminary positive result tonight.

     The staff member last went to work yesterday. His body temperature was normal during temperature screening before commencing duty on that day. He wore a mask and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. In the past 14 days of his duty, he mainly performed duties in the office and made no contact with members of the public at work.

     The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing are ongoing to identify and trace close contacts of the staff member.

     In view of the current epidemic situation, dental clinics have stepped up infection control measures, including temperature screening for all visitors before clinic entry and conducting health declaration. Dental services has been strictly implementing various disease prevention measures during the epidemic, which include providing employees with masks and other protective equipment, and stepping up the cleaning and sanitising measures of the clinics. All dental services' staff members are wearing mask at work and practising hand hygiene at all times. The DH is highly concerned about the COVID-19 situation and has reminded all staff again to maintain personal hygiene and be vigilant at all times. 

     A Government spokesman reiterated today (August 13) that the Universal Community Testing Programme (the Programme) would only do testing on the COVID-19 virus. All testing will be conducted in Hong Kong. Specimens will not be transported outside Hong Kong and will be destroyed after testing. 
           
     The spokesman strongly condemned the spread of online rumours suggesting specimens would be transferred outside Hong Kong. It is a deliberate act to distort facts with an attempt to smear the Programme. 

     Under the Programme, specimens and the registration of personal particulars will be handled separately. Privacy will not be compromised. 

     "No personal particulars will be indicated on the sampling bottles of the Programme. The testing agencies will know only the serial numbers but not the identity of specimen owners," the spokesman said. 

     "Personal data of participants who join the Programme on a voluntary basis will be encrypted and stored in the servers within the Government data centre. The data will only be available to the Department of Health or relevant departments for the purpose of disease control and be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486).  The data will not be transferred outside Hong Kong. All personal data and testing results will be disposed of within one month after the completion of the Programme." 

     The spokesman also clarified that the Universal Community Testing Programme is entirely a different programme from the health code system. No health code will be issued to participants of the Programme even a negative result is obtained. It is neither a permission for free access to certain places at a certain time. 

     "The health code system is prepared for the purpose of facilitating boundary crossing between Guangdong, Macao and Hong Kong and has yet to be launched." 

     "The Universal Community Testing Programme is designed in response to public demand for universal testing over the last few months. By engaging Hong Kong citizens to join this one-time and free testing service on a voluntary basis, it is hoped that asymptomatic patients in the community can be located for early treatment and the pandemic will subside," the spokesman added.