â€‹ The Transport Department (TD) said today (July 15) that in view of the latest situation of COVID-19, further measures have to be adopted to maintain social distancing. To reduce the risk of the spread of the virus in the community, special arrangements will continue to be implemented at the seven government car parks under the management of the TD for the sale of monthly tickets for August.
      
     The existing holders of a monthly ticket for private car/van, motorcycle or taxi for July can purchase a monthly ticket for the same vehicle type for August with priority. These eligible monthly ticket holders have to complete the procedures for purchasing the monthly ticket for August by 9pm on July 22 at the shroff offices of the car parks concerned. Any such person who fails to purchase the monthly ticket before the above deadline will be regarded as having given up his or her right to purchase the monthly ticket for August. The unsold monthly tickets for private car/van for August will be sold at the shroff offices of the car parks concerned on a first-come, first-served basis from 7.30am on July 23, while the unsold monthly tickets for motorcycle and taxi for August will be sold at the shroff offices from 7.30am on July 24.
      
     The seven government car parks are Star Ferry Car Park, City Hall Car Park, Tin Hau Car Park, Shau Kei Wan Car Park, Aberdeen Car Park, Kwai Fong Car Park and Tsuen Wan Car Park.
      
     The car park operators will put up notices in the car parks in advance to inform motorists of the above special arrangements.
      
     The TD will closely monitor the development of the epidemic situation to determine whether to revert to the sale of monthly tickets on first-come first-served basis, or to adopt balloting temporarily for the sale of monthly tickets having regard to the physical conditions and parking situations of the car parks concerned. Car park users are advised to pay attention to the announcements of the TD.

     The Government today (July 15) announced that the Chief Executive has re-appointed Mr Willy Lin Sun-mo as Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) for two years starting from August 6, 2020.

     The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit, welcomed the re-appointment of Mr Lin as Chairman of the HKPC. "Under Mr Lin's exemplary leadership, the HKPC in recent years has been making valuable and significant contributions to support the Government in driving re-industrialisation and assisting the industry in enhancing its competitiveness. I look forward to continuing to work with Mr Lin closely to promote innovation and technology development in Hong Kong," Mr Sit said.

     Mr Lin was first appointed as Chairman of the HKPC in August 2016 and was re-appointed in August 2018.

     The HKPC was established in 1967 to promote increased productivity in Hong Kong. Its mission is to provide integrated support to innovative and growth-oriented Hong Kong enterprises in the manufacturing and services sectors across the value chain with the main geographical focus on Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The HKPC provides its clients with a diverse range of support services in product development, consultancy, training and technology transfer.

     The Government today (July 15) announced that Mr Jimmy Kwok Chun-wah has been reappointed as the Chairman of the Energy Advisory Committee, and 19 community figures appointed as members. The appointments are for a term of two years with effect from today and will be published in the Gazette on July 17.

     The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, thanked the Chairman and members for their valuable contributions to the work of the Committee. "Under the sterling leadership of Mr Kwok, the Committee has tendered invaluable advice to the Government on important energy matters, in particular as we chart our way forward in deepening the combat against climate change. Looking ahead, we will continue to work closely with the Committee on various energy policy matters, including the promotion of renewable energy as well as energy efficiency and conservation to tie in with Hong Kong's transition towards being a low-carbon society," he said.

     Mr Wong also expressed his gratitude to the two retiring members, Ms Clara Chan Yuen-shan and Ms Vena Cheng Wei-yan, for their support and service in the past six years, and welcomed two new members to the Committee, namely Ms Hilda Lam and Ms Elsa Yuen.

     The Committee advises the Government on energy policy, including policy matters concerning energy supply and demand, energy conservation and efficiency, and other related matters.

     The full membership of the Committee is as follows:

* Mr Jimmy Kwok Chun-wah (Chairman)
* Professor Andrew Chan Chi-fai
* Ms Natalie Chan
* Dr Vincent Cheng Sai-yau
* Mr Cheung Chi-wah
* Professor Fung Tung
* Ms Linda Ho Wai-ping
* Mr Wilson Kwong Wing-tsuen
Ms Hilda Lam
* Mr James Lam Yat-fung
* Mr Ellis Lau Ying-tung
* Ms Ivy Lee Siu-wing
* Ms Rerina Or Siu-ching
* Ms Christina Tang Pik-han
* Mr Cliff Tang Wing-chun
* Mr Luther Wong Lok-tak
* Mr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung
* Mr Thomas Jefferson Wu
* Mr Ryan Yeung Shun-cheung
Ms Elsa Yuen
* Permanent Secretary for the Environment/Director of Environmental Protection or representative
* Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services or representative

* Serving members

     The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) announced today (July 15) that, in view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the Electoral Information Centre under the REO will be temporarily closed from today until further notice.

     In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the Labour Department announced today (July 15) that the Mong Kok Job Expo – Building a Multicultural Workplace scheduled for July 21 and 22 at the MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok has been cancelled.