To align with the Government's measures to reduce the flow of people and social contact in order to stop COVID-19 from further spreading in the community, the Labour Department announced today (July 31) that the following public talks at the respective venues have been cancelled:
 
August 3: "Health Hazards of Hot Environment at Work" (Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum)
August 12: Manual Handling Operations and Prevention of Back Injuries (Activity Room I, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library)
 
     Enrolled participants will be informed of the cancellations.

     The open recruitment and in-service appointment exercise for the post of the Director of Broadcasting began today (July 31). The vacancy advertisement was published in newspapers and posted on the Government website (www.gov.hk), setting out details of the entry requirements for the post.

     The Government has also issued an internal vacancy circular to invite serving substantive Directorate Officers at Directorate Pay Scale Point 2 (D2) or above, or equivalent, who meet the entry requirements, to apply for the post.

     Applicants must be permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and should have:
 
(a) at least 15 years of experience at a senior level, preferably with a large public or private organisation, with strong leadership and management capabilities;

(b) either a Bachelor or post-graduate degree from a Hong Kong university or equivalent, or at least 15 years of experience in the broadcasting and/or a media-related field;

(c) the ability to lead a local public broadcasting organisation and to manage changes arising from the evolution of public service broadcasting in Hong Kong and the technological development in the broadcasting industry and market; and

(d) good interpersonal and communication skills, and a strong command of written and spoken English, written Chinese and spoken Cantonese. Proficiency in Putonghua would be an advantage.

     All applications should be submitted to Korn Ferry (HK) Ltd, the agency for this recruitment exercise, by August 28, 2020.

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (July 31) will be cancelled.

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (July 30) that in view of the recent COVID-19 cases related to the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse (SSSH), the FEHD has further stepped up anti-epidemic measures of the slaughterhouse. In addition to arranging all SSSH stakeholders, including the operator, importers, buyers and transportation companies, for testing of COVID-19, only staff with negative testing results could enter the slaughter lines for work starting from tonight.

     The testing agency has completed the testing work for 1 214 deep throat saliva samples from SSSH stakeholders so far. Out of them, three persons were preliminarily tested positive. The FEHD and the agency will follow up some cases that remain and complete the virus tests as soon as possible, so as to have the infected persons isolated immediately.

     The three new cases involve a buyer and two persons working in transportation companies. The SSSH immediately conducted thorough cleaning and disinfection at places where the persons concerned had stayed or commuted. It has also reminded all workers that if they feel unwell, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible and should not go to work.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has already contacted the new cases involving the three persons for investigation and has traced their close contacts in the slaughterhouse. Arrangements will be made for them to be tested or isolated if necessary. The CHP has also notified SSSH today that the two earlier preliminary positive cases have been changed to confirmed cases. In addition to the five confirmed cases announced by the CHP previously, there are so far a cumulative total of ten cases related to the SSSH, i.e. three preliminarily tested positive cases and seven confirmed cases.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The Government is very concerned about the cases in relation to SSSH, and will strive to ensure the smooth operation of the slaughterhouse and that the supply of live pigs will not be affected. The Government and SSSH will closely monitor the latest development and further step up the anti-epidemic measures in light of the on-the-ground situation."

     The spokesman said that the operation of the SSSH has remained normal, and it has strived to ensure that its operation meets the required hygienic and environmental standards, and that all meat supplied to the market is fit for human consumption. During the epidemic, the SSSH has required all workers to observe the personal protective equipment guidelines, and implemented the following anti-epidemic measures:

     (1) Install two infrared body temperature monitors at the entrance to ensure that only people with normal body temperature are allowed to enter the slaughterhouse;
     (2) Require all people to wear a mask when they are in the slaughterhouse;
     (3) Require all people to maintain social distancing and avoid gathering;
     (4) Provide alcohol-based handrub and remind all people to keep their hands clean; and
     (5) Remind all those working in the slaughterhouse to observe personal hygiene, and that if they feel unwell, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible and should not go to work.

     The spokesman stressed that members of the public need not worried about the food safety of meat slaughtered at the slaughterhouse. According to the current scientific information and advice of the World Health Organization (WHO), it is unlikely that humans will be infected with COVID-19 via food. Members of the public are unlikely to be infected via fresh meat slaughtered at the slaughterhouse.

     Nevertheless, the Centre for Food Safety, based on the WHO advice on food safety, reminds the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times, including washing hands before and after handling raw and cooked foods; separating raw meat and internal organs from cooked foods; cooking food thoroughly, avoiding to eat raw or undercooked animals, etc. so as to ensure food safety.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has announced that as of 0.00am, July 30, the CHP was investigating 149 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 3 152 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 3 151 confirmed cases and one probable case).
     
     Among the newly reported cases announced, four had travel history during the incubation period.

     The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the list of buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and the latest local situation of COVID-19 available on the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).

     In view of the severe epidemic situation, the CHP called on members of the public to avoid going out, having social contact and dining out. They should put on a surgical mask and maintain stringent hand hygiene when they need to go out. As a number of recent cases involve elderly people, the CHP strongly urged the elderly to stay home as far as possible and avoid going out. They should consider asking their family and friends to help with every day tasks such as shopping for basic necessities.
 
     A spokesman for the CHP said, "Given that the situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and that there is a continuous increase in the number of cases reported around the world, members of the public are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.
 
     "The CHP also strongly urges the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
 
     "As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly, regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps) and cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use. After using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs."
 
     Moreover, the Government has launched the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for announcing the latest updates on various news on COVID-19 infection and health advice to help the public understand the latest updates. Members of the public may also gain access to information via the COVID-19 WhatsApp Helpline launched by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Simply by saving 9617 1823 in their phone contacts or clicking the link wa.me/85296171823?text=hi, they will be able to obtain information on COVID-19 as well as the "StayHomeSafe" mobile app and wristband via WhatsApp.
 
     To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
 
     • Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
     • Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
     • Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap) to ensure environmental hygiene;
     • Cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use;
     • After using the toilet, put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs;
     • Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
     • Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
     • When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.