The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, June 15, 2020 is 108.1 (up 0.2 against last Saturday's index).
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, June 13, 2020 was 107.9 (up 0.2 against last Friday's index).
The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, announced today (June 15) the appointment of Ms Esther Leung Yuet-yin to the post of Judiciary Administrator with effect from July 20, 2020. She will succeed Miss Emma Lau Yin-wah, who will proceed on pre-retirement leave on July 16, 2020.
The Judiciary Administrator assists the Chief Justice in the overall administration of the Judiciary. Being the head of the Judiciary Administration, she has to ensure that proper support is provided to Judges and Judicial Officers in the administration of justice, and that court operation is being carried out effectively and smoothly.
Ms Esther Leung was selected for the post through an open recruitment exercise. "Ms Esther Leung has extensive administrative and management experience and wide exposure in public administration during her civil service career. I am confident that she will be able to assist me in the effective administration of the Judiciary," the Chief Justice said.
The Chief Justice also thanked Miss Emma Lau for her long and sterling service as the Judiciary Administrator in the past 15 years. He said, "Miss Lau has excelled in the post of Judiciary Administrator. She has worked tirelessly and with considerable skill for the benefit of the Judiciary. All Judges and Judicial Officers and I wish her a very happy retirement."
Brief biographical notes on Miss Lau and Ms Leung are as follows:
Miss Emma Lau Yin-wah, JP
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Miss Lau joined the Administrative Officer Grade of the Government in September 1982. She was promoted to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2007. She was appointed as the Judiciary Administrator in the Judiciary in June 2005. She left the Administrative Service of the Government in June 2008 and continues to serve as the Judiciary Administrator in the Judiciary until her retirement in July 2020.
Ms Esther Leung Yuet-yin, JP
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Ms Leung joined the Administrative Officer Grade of the Government in July 1989 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2020.
Over the years, Ms Leung has held a number of senior posts in the Government including Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) (2012-2016), Private Secretary to the Chief Executive (2016-2017), Deputy Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing) and Deputy Director of Housing (Strategy) (2017-2019). She has taken up the post of Director of Administration, Chief Secretary for Administration's Office since April 2019.
The Government announced today (June 15) the following senior appointments:
(a) Mr Andrew Lai Chi-wah, Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury), will take up the post of Director of Lands on August 5, 2020; and
(b) Mr Daniel Cheng Chung-wai, Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Food), will take up the post of Director of Administration on July 20, 2020.
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said, "The two appointees are seasoned Administrative Officers with proven leadership and management skills. I have every confidence that they will serve the community with professionalism in their new capacities."
Brief biographical notes of the two officers are set out below:
Mr Andrew Lai Chi-wah
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Mr Lai joined the Administrative Service in July 1992 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2018. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Planning, Environment and Lands Branch, the Housing Department, the Civil Service Bureau and the Home Affairs Department. He was Deputy Commissioner for Innovation and Technology from February 2009 to April 2012 and Deputy Director of Environmental Protection from April 2012 to July 2016, and has been serving as Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) since August 2016.
Mr Daniel Cheng Chung-wai
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Mr Cheng joined the Administrative Service in July 1989 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2018. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Finance Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Health and Welfare Branch, the former Trade and Industry Branch, the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing, the former Planning and Lands Bureau and the former Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau. He was Principal Assistant Secretary for Education and Manpower (Manpower Infrastructure) (later renamed Principal Assistant Secretary for Education (Further Education)) from March 2006 to July 2010 and Deputy Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs from July 2010 to September 2016, and has been serving as Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Food) since September 2016.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 15) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
From June 7 to 13, one imported LD case was reported, involving a male patient, aged 45 without underlying illnesses, who stayed in Shenzhen during the entire incubation period.
"Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any," a spokesman for the CHP said.
As of June 13 this year, 38 LD cases had been reported. In 2019 and 2018, there were 105 cases each year.
"Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels," the spokesman said.
Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
Immunocompromised persons should:
• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.
The public should observe the health advice below:
• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:
1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.
The public may visit the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) started inviting applications for funding support under the new phase of the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme today (June 15). The Programme, which will last until March 31, 2025, is an ongoing effort to encourage Hong Kong-owned factories in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province to adopt cleaner production technologies for continuous improvement of the regional environment.
Hong Kong enterprises operating factories in Hong Kong or Guangdong Province can apply for funding support to carry out two types of projects under the Programme:
* On-site improvement assessments to identify practical cleaner production solutions for their factories. The Government will share half of the assessment cost with a funding ceiling of $45,000 per assessment; and
* Demonstration projects to show the effectiveness of cleaner production technologies through the installation of equipment or modification of production processes. The Government will share half of the project cost. Under the new phase of the Programme, there are two categories of demonstration projects:
Demonstration projects (I): A new demonstration project category to promote wider adoption of effective cleaner production technologies by factories. The funding ceiling per project is $450,000; and
Demonstration projects (II): To support research and innovation in cleaner production technologies. The funding ceiling per project is $650,000.
In addition, non-profit-making trade and industry associations and professional organisations (NPOs) in Hong Kong can apply for organisation support initiatives to carry out trade-specific promotion and publicity activities to promote wider adoption of effective cleaner production technologies in different industries. The Government will subsidise 90 per cent of the project cost for each project and the subsidy ceiling for each NPO in the new phase is $2 million.
Hong Kong enterprises as well as trade and industry associations or professional organisations interested in joining the Programme may obtain more information and download application forms from the Programme website at www.cleanerproduction.hk. Enquiries can also be made on the following hotlines operated by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC): (852) 2788 5588 (Hong Kong) or (86-755) 8615 6942 (Shenzhen).
In April 2008, the EPD launched the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme in collaboration with the then Economic and Information Commission of Guangdong Province (now the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Guangdong Province) to encourage and assist Hong Kong-owned factories in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province to adopt cleaner production technologies and practices. Since its introduction, the Government has devoted $293 million to the implementation of the Programme. In the light of the continual environmental benefits brought about by the Programme, the Government has extended the Programme for five years with additional funding of $311 million. The HKPC serves as the implementation agent of the Programme.