The Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) submitted to the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, its "Thematic Study Report on the Public Order Events arising from the Fugitive Offenders Bill since June 2019 and the Police Actions in Response" today (May 15). The report is also available for viewing by members of the public.
 
     "When the IPCC decided to undertake a proactive study in July last year, I welcomed its decision at that time and pledged that the Government would fully co-operate with the IPCC. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the IPCC Chairman, Mr Anthony Neoh, SC, all council members and the secretariat for their hard work in preparing the report over the past few months," Mrs Lam said.
 
     "The IPCC has examined a large volume of information and has made detailed and objective representation of facts in the report. The report is comprehensive, objective, fact-based and weighty.
 
     "Overall speaking, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government accepts the 52 recommendations proposed by the IPCC. I have requested the Secretary for Security to set up a task force and to supervise it personally to study and follow up on every recommendation, as well as to consult the IPCC when necessary and report to me on a regular basis."
 
     Mrs Lam also considered that the Police can accord priority to dealing with several areas of the recommendations, including media arrangements in large-scale public order events, co-ordination among the Police themselves and with other departments, dissemination of information to the public, temporary detention facilities and police identification.
 
     "The rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's success, and one of the indispensable elements of the rule of law is that members of the public have to abide by the law. I, the HKSAR Government and the Police will resolutely say no to any violation of the law to prevent the deterioration of the law and order in Hong Kong, ensuring that members of the public will continue to enjoy their freedoms and rights within the legal boundaries," Mrs Lam stressed.
 
     The opening remarks (Chinese only) of the Chief Executive at the press conference on the thematic study report today are available at the following link: www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202005/15/P2020051500787.htm.

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold public hearings on "Management of funding for sports development through the Arts and Sport Development Fund (Sports Portion)" (Chapter 1) of the Director of Audit's Report No.74 tomorrow (May 16) at 9am and 2.30pm in Conference Room 3 of the LegCo Complex respectively. The PAC will also hold a closed meeting tomorrow at 8.30am in Conference Room 4 of the LegCo Complex.
 
     Seven witnesses have been invited to appear before the above hearings to respond to points raised in the Report and answer questions asked by the PAC members.
 
     The programmes for the public hearings are as follows:
 
     Date: May 16 (Saturday)
     Time: 9am
     Venue: Conference Room 3
    
     Subject:
     Management of funding for sports development through the Arts and Sport Development Fund (Sports Portion) â€‹(Chapter 1 of the Director of Audit's Report No.74)
 
     Witnesses:
     Mr Caspar Tsui
     Secretary for Home Affairs

     Mr Yeung Tak-keung
     Commissioner for Sports

     Mr Paul Cheng
     Principal Assistant Secretary (Recreation and Sport)1
     â€‹Home Affairs Bureau

     Mr Vincent Liu
     Director of Leisure and Cultural Services

     Mr Benjamin Hung
     Assistant Director (Leisure Services)2
     Leisure and Cultural Services Department

     Date: May 16 (Saturday)
     Time: 2.30pm
     Venue: Conference Room 3
    
     â€‹Subject:
     â€‹Management of funding for sports development through the Arts and Sport Development Fund (Sports Portion) (Chapter 1 of the Director of Audit's Report No.74)
 
     Witnesses:
     Mr Caspar Tsui
     Secretary for Home Affairs

     Mr Yeung Tak-keung
     Commissioner for Sports

     Mr Paul Cheng
     Principal Assistant Secretary (Recreation and Sport)1
     Home Affairs Bureau

     Mr Vincent Liu
     Director of Leisure and Cultural Services

     Mr Benjamin Hung
     Assistant Director (Leisure Services)2
     Leisure and Cultural Services Department

     Mr Pui Kwan-kay
     Chairman, Hong Kong Football Association

     Mr Paul Woodland
     Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Football Association Secretariat

     The PAC is chaired by Mr Abraham Shek, and its Deputy Chairman is Mr Kenneth Leung. Other members include Mr Paul Tse, Mr Steven Ho, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, Mr Shiu Ka-fai and Ms Tanya Chan.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 15) investigating a case of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection, and hence urged the public to maintain good personal hygiene, especially hand hygiene.
 
     The case involves a 54-year-old man with good past health. He presented with fever and cough with sputum on May 10 and attended Kwong Wah Hospital for treatment on the same day. He was admitted to the hospital and subsequently transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for further management on May 11. The patient is now in a serious condition.
 
     His blood sample tested positive for Hib upon laboratory testing. His clinical diagnoses were pneumonia and septicaemia. 
 
    The patient lives alone and had no recent travel history. Investigations are ongoing.
 
     Invasive Hib infection has been a statutorily notifiable infectious disease since July 2008. Invasive Hib infection commonly presents clinically as infection of membranes covering the brain (meningitis), often accompanied by bacteria entering the bloodstream. It may also affect other parts of the body such as the lungs, the upper part of the throat (epiglottis), joints and bones. Prompt antibiotic treatment is necessary.
 
     "Hib infection can be spread by contact with the nose or throat secretions of a patient. If persistent fever, unusual changes in behaviour or other deteriorating conditions develop, or if in doubt, seek medical attention immediately," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     Members of the public are advised to observe personal hygiene and take heed of the preventive measures below:
 

• Maintain hand hygiene and clean hands properly;
• Wash hands when they are soiled with respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing or coughing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal discharge and sputum properly;
• Do not share eating and drinking utensils, and wash them thoroughly after use;
• Avoid going to crowded places if not feeling well; and
• An effective vaccine against Hib is available. For personal protection, seek advice from a health-care professional.

 
     The public may visit the CHP's invasive Hib page for more information.

     The application period for the Subsidy Scheme for Beauty Parlours, Massage Establishments and Party Rooms launched under the second round of the Anti-epidemic Fund of the Government will close on May 17 (Sunday). Businesses wishing to apply for the subsidy should submit their online application and relevant supporting documents through the Scheme's online application system (bmpsubsidy.gov.hk) before the deadline. The website will cease receiving applications after 11.59pm on May 17.

     The Scheme covers beauty parlours, hair salons, massage establishments and party rooms. The Scheme opened for application on May 11. As at today (May 15), over 11 000 applications have been received. Vetting of applications has already commenced and the subsidy is expected to be disbursed from late May onwards.

     For enquiries concerning details and the application procedure of the Scheme, applicants can call the telephone hotline (1836 188) or send an email to enquiry@bmpsubsidy.hk.

The following press release is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     In line with the Government's earlier announcement about inspecting the drainage pipes on external walls for target private residential and composite buildings in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) will proactively inspect the communal drainage pipes of all its public rental housing (PRH), including the communal drainage pipes inside some of the rental units.
 
     "Under the epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many members of the public are very concerned about the conditions of the drainage system in their buildings. As a preventive measure, the HA will launch a programme to proactively inspect the communal drainage pipes of its PRH (including communal drainage pipes inside some of the rental units)," a spokesman for the HA said today (May 15).
 
     "We are drawing up the detailed work plan, including the timetable of implementation, the order of inspection to estates and the mode of inspection, etc. The HA will expedite the implementation of the programme and make an announcement when the details are confirmed."
 
     The spokesman said that the HA will increase manpower resources and give priority to estates with confirmed COVID-19 cases. The HA will deploy staff to inspect communal drainage pipes at these estates.  The communal pipes inside the tenants' units (if applicable) will be checked where feasible, and arrangements for appropriate repairs will be made for them when necessary."
 
     Under the "Responsive In-flat Maintenance Service", the HA provides in-flat maintenance and repair works for its rental units. If tenants have any questions about the current condition of their drainage pipe works, they can contact the respective estate management office to follow up.