Author Archives: hksar gov

     Ninety-one convictions were recorded in May 2020 for breaches of legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).      Twelve of the convictions were under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance,… read more

     The Joint Office (JO) for investigation of reports on water seepage in buildings set up by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Buildings Department has recently received public enquiries as to whether the JO had issued letters informing them that an outsourced consultant named “Lee’s Construction Engineering Company Limited” (translation) had been appointed to carry out investigation in their premises.
      
     A spokesman for the JO today (June 18) clarified that the above named company is not an outsourced consultant of the JO, and the cases have already been referred to the Police for investigation. The spokesman reminded members of the public to stay vigilant.
      
     The spokesman for the JO stated that water seepage investigation will generally be conducted in three stages. Staff of the JO will visit the premises concerned to carry out Stage I and II investigations. If the source of water seepage could not be identified, the JO will in the Stage III investigation arrange for an outsourced consultant to carry out investigation and tests. The JO will issue a letter to inform the occupants of the premises concerned in advance of such an arrangement and provide the names and contact telephone numbers of the staff of the JO and the consultant responsible for the case and a sample of the consultant’s staff card. The consultant’s staff visiting the premises concerned should bring along their staff cards for identification and verification by the public. The staff cards are issued by the JO and the contact telephone numbers of the JO and the consultant are shown on the staff card to enable the public to make enquiries.
      
     The JO reminded the public that if they have any doubt regarding the authenticity of the JO’s letters or the identity of the consultant’s staff, they can contact the JO at 3691 8479 (Hong Kong), 3156 1942 (Kowloon), 3104 2571 (New Territories East) and 2382 5682 (New Territories West). read more

     The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said today (June 18) that the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has received over 1 400 applications for the Anti-epidemic Subsidy Scheme for the Laundry Trade under the Anti-epidemic Fund launched by the Government. Vetting of applications is underway and the first batch of subsidies has been disbursed to applicants by cheque today.

     Mr Wong today visited a laundry workshop and a laundry shop, which are beneficiaries of the Scheme. He said, “The laundry trade provides downstream support and has been adversely affected by the epidemic and economic downturn. We hope that the Scheme will provide timely relief, along with other measures of the Government, to support enterprises and safeguard jobs to meet the imminent needs of the laundry trade.
 
     “The full support of the Laundry Association of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Laundry Services Association, by reflecting the industry’s operating situation and views, and serving as the communication channel between operators and us, has contributed to the swift implementation of the Scheme,” Mr Wong added.

     By positively joining energy efficiency and carbon reduction initiatives, the laundry workshop and laundry shop Mr Wong visited have both stepped up environmental efforts in energy saving and hence reduced daily operation costs. They participated in the Electrical Equipment Upgrade Scheme (EEUS) of a power company and were subsidised to procure equipment with higher energy efficiencies, while the laundry shop also carried out an energy audit to identify energy saving potential. The two shops also supported Hong Kong’s renewable energy development efforts by purchasing local renewable energy certificates. Mr Wong thanked their multi-pronged green and carbon reduction efforts, which set a model for the trade. Mr Wong also urged members of the industry, regardless of their scale, to learn more about the latest opportunities brought by various subsidy programmes such as the EEUS, with a view to supporting a green recovery. Not only will members save costs for the companies in general, but such efforts would also realise multiple benefits including contributing to the circular economy and mitigating climate change.

     The Scheme provides a one-off subsidy to help the laundry and dry cleaning services industry meet its operational costs. Depending on the size of operation, each eligible laundry shop or workshop will receive a subsidy ranging from $10,000 to $150,000. To take care of the livelihood of elderly employees, the applicants are required to undertake not to reduce the total number of employees aged 65 or above for three months upon receipt of the subsidies.

     The application period for the Scheme ended on June 12. The laundry trade can call 3107 8403 or send an email to laundry_subsidy@epd.gov.hk to check the status regarding the processing of their applications. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 18) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     “The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system,” the spokesman explained.

     “The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention,” the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming, sweating or toweling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may obtain more information from the DH’s Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO’s Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. read more

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:    &nbsp… read more