The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (July 31) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay, see Note 2).

     Twenty-four beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and 15 as Fair (Grade 2).

Grade 1 beaches are:

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.

     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

Note 1: In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced on July 13 that all beaches would be temporarily closed from July 15 until further notice.
 
Note 2: Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, July 31, 2020 is 106.1 (down 0.3 against yesterday's index).

     In line with the extension of the special work arrangements announced by the Government, the Government Records Service (GRS) today (July 31) announced that during the period between August 3 to August 9, the Search Room of the Public Records Office (PRO) will only open on Wednesday (August 5) from 9am to 1pm for users who have made a reservation for holdings through the online catalogue. The quota is four users, which will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Public services to be provided will be limited to:
 
 1. Loan and circulation service for reserved holdings; and
 2. Self-service reproduction of holdings.
 
      The above services will be suspended for those who have not made an online reservation for holdings. Meanwhile, users should wear surgical masks at all times when they are inside the Hong Kong Public Records Building, and follow the infection control measures implemented by the GRS including temperature checks upon entering the building and applying hand sanitiser.
 
      The Exhibition Hall in the Hong Kong Public Records Building will continue to be closed. Visits and public education programmes are suspended until further notice.
 
      The above measures will be implemented until August 9 and will be reviewed. Members of the public may visit the GRS website (www.grs.gov.hk) and PRO Facebook (www.facebook.com/grs.publicrecordsoffice) for updates. For enquiries, please email proinfo@grs.gov.hk.

     A man was fined $1,000 at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today (July 31) for contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.

     The court heard that in September last year, officers from the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department, when searching the Internet for intelligence about unlicensed guesthouse activities, identified a suspected unlicensed guesthouse on Tsing Ying Road in Tuen Mun. The OLA officers posed as lodgers and successfully rented a room in the guesthouse on a daily basis through an Internet platform.

     According to the OLA's records, the guesthouse did not possess a licence under the Ordinance on the day of lodging. The man responsible for managing the premises was charged with contravening section 5(1) of the Ordinance.

     A department spokesman stressed that operating or managing an unlicensed guesthouse is a criminal offence and can lead to a criminal record. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and two years' imprisonment. Guesthouse licensees may advertise or offer to provide sleeping accommodation on the Internet. To assist the public and tourists to identify licensed guesthouses, the licensees should indicate clearly "Licensed guesthouse" in all promotional advertisement materials or advertisements related to the guesthouse.

     â€‹The spokesman appealed to anyone with information about suspected unlicensed guesthouses to report it to the OLA by the hotline (Tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk), by fax (2504 5805) using the report form downloaded from the OLA website (www.hadla.gov.hk), or through the mobile application "Hong Kong Licensed Hotels and Guesthouses".

     In line with the extension of special work arrangements for government employees in response to the latest situation of COVID-19, the Planning Department (PlanD) announced today (July 31) that the department will continue to maintain provision of essential services for the public until further notice.
     
     The Planning Enquiry Counters on the 17th floor of North Point Government Offices (NPGO) and the 14th floor of Sha Tin Government Offices will be temporarily closed and no public services will be provided. Members of the public may make enquiries through the telephone hotline (2231 5000) or email (enquire@pland.gov.hk). If members of the public want to inspect documents made available for public inspection under the Town Planning Ordinance, they can dial the telephone hotline for separate arrangements. The public can also visit the PlanD website (www.pland.gov.hk) for general planning information.
     
     In addition, the receipt and dispatch counter of the department (18/F, NPGO) will continue to maintain basic services during office hours (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).
     
     City Gallery will continue to be temporarily closed until further notice. All educational activities and docent services will be cancelled during the closure period.
     
     For enquiries, please call the hotline 2231 5000 during office hours or visit the PlanD website.