The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, May 8, 2020 is 108.5 (down 0.3 against yesterday's index).

     â€‹The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (May 8) announced that the department collected 10 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) samples from auto-LPG filling stations and LPG terminals on a random basis in April 2020 for laboratory tests. The results showed that the LPG quality of all these samples complied with auto-LPG specifications.
      
     The detailed test results are available on the EMSD's website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/rl/lpg_sample_analysis_simple). Enquiries can also be made to the EMSD's hotline on 2333 3762.
      
     In addition, the EMSD has been vetting independent third-party test reports submitted by LPG supply companies for each shipment to ensure that the quality of imported LPG complies with the specified requirements.

     In response to media enquiries on whether some scheduled premises will be allowed to operate a new business if there is a change in the business operated, mode of operation and/or services provided, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau today (May 8) made the following response:
 
     In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), the Secretary for Food and Health has issued directions by notices in the Gazette that certain scheduled premises, namely karaoke establishments, clubs or nightclubs, party rooms and bathhouses, should remain closed until May 21.
 
     These scheduled premises may still operate other licensed business(es) which is/are not required to be suspended if the premises were operating more than one licensed business before the closure, and the operators have implemented all measures to effectively stop or avoid operation of business(es) and offering services which are required to be suspended.
 
     For example, premises that were originally operated as karaoke establishments and catering businesses may continue their catering business in accordance with the relevant directions if all karaoke operation and services are suspended; relevant facilities, installations and equipment for karaoke activities are closed or properly sealed off; and notices are posted in prominent locations at the entrance(s) clearly indicating that only catering services but no karaoke services are provided in the premises. Other scheduled premises operating more than one licensed business could adopt similar measures to operate other licensed business(es) which is/are not required to be suspended.

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

     The Judiciary today (May 8) announced that following the reopening of the registries and accounts offices of the Court of Final Appeal, the High Court and the Competition Tribunal on May 6 and the registry and accounts office of the District Court today, the registries and accounts offices of the Family Court and the Lands Tribunal will reopen on May 13 and May 15 respectively.

     The opening hours of the registries and accounts offices will be from 8.45am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm (Monday to Friday, except public holidays). Some registry business, such as search and inspection of cause books, case files, originating documents and court orders, etc may only be conducted in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 4.30pm until further notice.

     It is anticipated that in the initial period there will be a significant number of people wishing to do filing and other business at these court registries. While the Judiciary will take measures to increase the capacity of the registries during the initial period and regulate the flow of people, parties and legal representatives are urged not to do filing and other business in the first few days of the reopening of the registries, unless they are really urgent and must be done in the first few days of reopening.
 
Other offices of the Judiciary
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     The other offices that provide supportive services to court users and the public will continue to reopen gradually. The opening hours of these services will resume as normal with details as set out at Annex.

     The Canteen in the High Court Building and the Tuck Shop in the West Kowloon Law Courts Building will remain closed until further notice, having regard to public health considerations.
 
Preventive and crowd management measures
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     The Judiciary will continue to put in place appropriate preventive and crowd management measures. These measures include requiring all people entering Judiciary premises to undergo body temperature check, to wear face masks, and putting in place necessary queuing, ticketing and triage systems, designated entry and exit points, as well as admission control to limit the number of court users entering and remaining on Judiciary premises.

     To maintain social distancing, chessboard seating arrangement will continue to be adopted in courtrooms and court lobbies with seating capacity reduced to half. Broadcasting of proceedings will be arranged on a need basis. Capacity limits are set for areas such as court registries and accounts offices to avoid crowding.

     Parties, legal representatives and other court users who are subject to any quarantine requirements or medical surveillance should not come to the Judiciary premises. They should as soon as practicable apply to the court for permission of absence or inform the court with reasons for absence as appropriate.

     Information on detailed arrangements will be uploaded onto the Judiciary website. Court users are strongly advised to check the updated information on the Judiciary website, and follow the advice of the Judiciary staff and security personnel when they attend for court business. The co-operation of court users is necessary and is appreciated.

     For general enquiries, the following hotlines will be operated from 8.45am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm (Monday to Friday, except public holidays): 
 

• General Information: 2869 0869
• Court of Final Appeal: 2123 0123
• High Court: 2523 2212
• Probate: 2840 1683
• District Court: 2845 5696
• Family Court: 2840 1218
• Lands Tribunal: 2771 3034
• Labour Tribunal: 2625 0020
• Small Claims Tribunal: 2877 4068
• Magistrates' Courts: 2677 8373
• Bailiff Section: 2802 7510
• Court Language Section: 2388 1364

     The Judiciary will continue to post updated information, including Daily Cause Lists, all arrangements in relation to Judiciary business and advice to court users, on the Judiciary website (www.judiciary.hk). Court users are advised to check the website for updated information as necessary.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (May 8) announced that the department tested 17 water samples collected from cooling towers in nine buildings in its routine inspections in April this year. None of them was detected to have a total legionella count at or above the upper threshold, which is 1 000 colony-forming units per millilitre. The latest statistics are set out in Annex 1.

     The EMSD also announced the locations of buildings which were served with nuisance notices during the preceding three-month period as the total legionella count was found in the fresh water cooling towers to be equal to or above the upper threshold. Details can be found in Annex 2. The EMSD publishes the latest statistics of the above information on a half-monthly basis on its website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/other_regulatory_services/cooling_towers/water_sampling/index.html).

     The EMSD reminds the owners of fresh water cooling towers that they have the responsibility to design, operate and maintain cooling towers properly. They should arrange regular inspections, timely maintenance and periodic testing of the water quality in their cooling towers in accordance with the Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers issued by the department to prevent the proliferation of legionella.