The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident in Tsuen Wan this afternoon (May 8) in which a man died.
The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 4pm today (May 8), no new local confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had been recorded, and that the number of cases in Hong Kong remained at 1 045 so far (comprising 1 044 confirmed cases and one probable case).
The CHP again urged members of the public to maintain an appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible in their daily lives to minimise the risk of infection. In particular, they should go out less and avoid social activities such as meal gatherings or other gatherings to reduce the chance of contacting infected persons who may not present any symptoms, and minimise the risk of outbreak clusters emerging in the community.
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."
The CHP has set up hotlines (2125 1111 and 2125 1122), which operate from 8am to midnight daily, for public enquiries. As at 3pm today, a total of 107 811 calls had been received.
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.
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.
The Town Planning Board announced today (May 8) that the Chief Executive in Council has referred the approved Tai Po Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) to the Board for amendment to reflect the latest land use proposals.
The OZP incorporating the respective amendments will be exhibited for public inspection under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance.
The Tai Po OZP was last approved by the Chief Executive in Council in August 2018.
The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Ngau Tau Kok and Kowloon Bay Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
"The approved OZP provides a statutory land use framework to guide development and redevelopment in the Ngau Tau Kok and Kowloon Bay area," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (May 8).
The Planning Scheme Area (the Area), covering about 341 hectares of land, is located within Kwun Tong District in East Kowloon. The Area is divided by Kwun Tong Road into two portions characterised by residential clusters to the east and employment clusters to the west in Kowloon Bay.
About 66.8 hectares of land is zoned "Residential (Group A)" covering the major existing residential developments in the Area as well as the proposed residential sites at Wang Chiu Road and Choi Wing Road. A medium-density residential site with an area of about 4.7 hectares abutting Lee On Road in the north-eastern part of the Area, namely Shun Chi Court, is zoned "Residential (Group B)".
A number of sites with a total area of 2.4 hectares in Kowloon Bay are zoned "Commercial" to provide for commercial developments.
About 44.3 hectares of land is zoned "Other Specified Uses" ("OU"). The major areas are the "OU" annotated "Business" zone which covers the existing industrial area in Kowloon Bay and is intended for a mixture of non-polluting industrial, office and commercial uses; the "OU" annotated "Mass Transit Railway Depot with Commercial and Residential Development Above" zone; and the "OU" annotated "Commercial Uses with Public Transport Terminus" zone at the junction of Sheung Yuet Road and Wang Kwun Road which has been developed for the specified uses.
To serve the needs of the local and district population, about 49.6 hectares and 48.3 hectares of land are zoned "Government, Institution or Community" and "Open Space" respectively. Some 52.6 hectares of land, covering mainly steep hillslopes in the eastern periphery of the Area, is zoned "Green Belt".
The approved Ngau Tau Kok and Kowloon Bay OZP No. S/K13/30 is now available for public inspection during normal office hours at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department in North Point and Sha Tin, the Kowloon District Planning Office and the Kwun Tong District Office.
Copies of the approved plan are available for sale at Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed at the Town Planning Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced today (May 8) the outcome of the Stage 2 application exercise for allocating space to law-related organisations (LROs) in the Legal Hub for the provision of legal and dispute resolution services.
To enhance and promote Hong Kong's status as an international legal hub for legal, deal-making and dispute resolution services, the Government will provide certain space to LROs in the West Wing of the former Central Government Offices (CGO) and the former French Mission Building. Together with the DoJ offices in the Main Wing, the East Wing and part of West Wing of the former CGO, the whole area is intended to form a Legal Hub at the heart of Hong Kong.
The Committee on Provision of Space in the Legal Hub considered a total of eight applications received under the Stage 2 application exercise. After assessing the applications based on the relative merits of the respective organisations, the Committee recommended that the application of the following six LROs should be supported.
1. eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited
2. Global Chinese Speaking Lawyers' Association Limited
3. Hong Kong Academy of Law Limited
4. Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group
5. Hong Kong Society of Notaries
6. The Law Society of Hong Kong
Taking together the 17 LROs recommended under Stage 1 and supplementary application exercises (information is available at www.doj.gov.hk/eng/public/pr/20170301_pr1.html and www.doj.gov.hk/eng/public/pr/20170609_pr1.html), a total of 23 LROs have been recommended by the Committee. These LROs, all of which have confirmed acceptance of the offer of space in the Legal Hub, cover a good mix of reputable local, regional and international organisations specialising in different legal or dispute resolution services or functions, thereby reflecting Hong Kong's status as a leading centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. The space in the Legal Hub is handed over to the recommended LROs by phases, and they are expected to move in from the second quarter of 2020 onwards.