Police today (March 13) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Sham Shui Po.

     Lee Kwong, aged 89, went missing after he left an elderly home on Yee Kuk Street on March 11 morning. Staff of the elderly home made a report to Police yesterday (March 12).
            
     He is about 1.6 metres tall, 50 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short grey hair. He was last seen wearing a yellow shirt, grey trousers and black shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     As a result of swift action and extensive investigations, Hong Kong Customs in recent months smashed two supply and sale chains of disinfectant alcohol with a suspected false trade description and toxic methanol content. A total of 20 persons, including suppliers, persons-in-charge and salespersons of the pharmacies, were arrested from late February to today (March 13). During the operations, 284 bottles of disinfectant alcohol with a suspected false trade description were seized. A dual-approach investigation according to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) and the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO) is underway.

     Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of disinfectant alcohol with a suspected false description on its composition at a pharmacy in Tuen Mun. Customs officers were then deployed for immediate action to test-purchase a type of disinfectant alcohol labelled as "75% ethanol" and "1 litre" at a shop of the pharmacy group involved. Test results revealed that the disinfectant alcohol concerned consists of less than 0.1 per cent of ethanol, while its methanol content reaches 52 per cent. The test also revealed that its net volume was only 737 millilitres. According to the test results, the product involved was suspected to be in contravention of the TDO and the CGSO.

     Noting the test results, Customs conducted immediate enforcement action on the following day (February 21) and searched the pharmacy group's office and its 20 branches across the territory. A total of 236 retail spots in various districts were also searched concurrently. During the operation on that day, a total of 174 bottles of disinfectant alcohol with a suspected false description on its composition were seized at the branches, with arrests of a director and six salespersons of the pharmacy group.

     After an in-depth investigation, Customs conducted a series of arrest operations between the end of February and today. Five directors of the pharmacy group as well as three primary suppliers were further arrested. The entire supply and sale chain of disinfectant alcohol with a suspected false trade description and toxic methanol content has been smashed. The 15 arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     In another case, Customs test-purchased a type of antibacterial disinfectant labelled as containing "75% ethanol" and claims of complying with the relevant national standard at a pharmacy in Fanling. Test results revealed that the antibacterial disinfectant concerned consisted of 69 per cent of ethanol and was mixed with 8.2 per cent of methanol content. The product was put on sale in transparent plastic bottles labelled as 500 ml but the test revealed that the net volume was only 478 ml.

     Customs noted the test results on March 2 and conducted immediate enforcement action on the same day. A total of 110 bottles of disinfectant alcohol with suspected false descriptions on composition and toxic methanol content were seized at four targeted pharmacies. A director and three pharmacy salespersons were arrested. Customs officers also inspected a total of 314 retail spots in various districts on March 2 and arrested the person-in-charge of a trading company in Kwun Tong two days later who supplied the relevant product to the pharmacies in connection with the case. The five arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation. Including this case, Customs has consecutively smashed two supply and sale chains of disinfectant alcohol suspected of violating relevant ordinances in less than a month.

     Customs said the two cases share four common features: (1) swift action – immediate test-purchases were conducted after receiving information and immediate actions were taken after noting the test results; (2) extensiveness – apart from targeted search operations on relevant shops, large-scale territory-wide inspections were also conducted concurrently to stop the sale of suspected illegal products in the market; (3) cutting off the source of supply – operations were carried out at retail spots in the beginning and then the investigation scope was proceeded upstream to cover the entire supply and sale chain; (4) dual-approach investigation – the two cases were investigated according to the TDO and the CGSO.

     The department has passed the disinfectant alcohol seized in the cases to the Government Laboratory for further examination.

     The series of operations is part of the "Guardian" operation, which has been running for 46 days as of yesterday (March 12) since its launch on January 27. More than 3 200 officers have been mobilised to conduct over 22 000 inspections at retail spots in various districts to ensure that common protective items sold in the market comply with the TDO and the CGSO.

     Apart from that, Customs has also conducted spot checks, test purchases and inspections in various districts on surgical masks available in the market. More than 90 samples have been test-purchased. The first two batches of 40 samples in total passed the tests on bacterial counts in February, while the test results of the third batch of 20 samples also revealed compliance with the bacterial count standard.

     Customs also test-purchased over 10 samples of alcohol-based hand rubs available in the market and have conducted tests for the 10 samples on heavy metals and bacterial counts. All samples comply with safety requirements and no violations of the CGSO have yet been found. The department will continue to make prompt public updates if irregularities are detected.

     The "Guardian" operation is ongoing. Customs will continue to take a speedy and holistic approach to suppress the supply and sale chains of anti-epidemic items violating relevant ordinances.

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Twilight" and "Greenlane" from March 9 to yesterday (March 12). A total of 17 suspected illegal workers and 11 suspected employers were arrested.
 
     During the operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided 72 target locations including car parks, a company, a food factory, a fruit store, a garbage collection depot, industrial buildings, a manicure shop, a park, residential buildings, restaurants, stores and a warehouse. The suspected illegal workers comprised nine men and eight women, aged 21 to 53. Among them, four men were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment. In addition, three men and five women were suspected of using and being in possession of forged Hong Kong identity cards or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Furthermore, a man was suspected of using and being in possession of a false instrument. Meanwhile, nine men and two women, aged 29 to 53, were suspected of employing the suspected illegal workers.
 
     "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties," an ImmD spokesman said.
 
     The spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order are prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months' imprisonment should be applied in such cases. It is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and up to 10 years' imprisonment. It is an offence to use or possess any false instrument or make false representation to an Immigration Officer. Offenders are liable to prosecution, and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for up to 14 years.
 
     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for three years and a fine of $350,000. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. The maximum penalty for failing to inspect such a document is imprisonment for one year and a fine of $150,000.
 
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct initial screenings of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments. 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 13) closely monitoring one additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Qatar. The CHP again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit.

     According to the WHO, the case involved a 65-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Doha. Before the onset of symptoms, the patient had a history of close contact with camels.

     According to the WHO, Qatar has reported 23 cases (including the patient reported above) since 2012.
 
     "We will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "As countries in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, continue to report MERS cases from time to time, travellers should refrain from going to farms, barns or markets with camels and avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry. Most of the cases reported in the Middle East had a history of exposure to camels, consumption of camel milk or contact with other MERS patients," the spokesman said.

     "Scientific evidence shows that camels are reservoirs for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Camels infected with MERS-CoV may not show any signs of infection. Infected animals may shed MERS-CoV through nasal and eye discharge and faeces, and potentially in their milk and urine. The virus may also be found in the raw organs and meat of infected animals. Therefore, the best protection is to practise good hygiene and avoid direct contact with all of these," the spokesman added.
 
     From time to time, suspected MERS cases reported to the CHP for investigation involve patients with a history of contact with camels in the Middle East. The CHP strongly advises travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS page of the CHP and its Travel Health Service to learn more about MERS statistics in affected areas. The public should also refer to the CHP's Facebook page and YouTube channel and the WHO's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate grave sweepers, and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movements and pedestrian safety during Ching Ming Festival.

Hong Kong Island
—————-

(1) Chai Wan

A. Road closure

Phase I

     Vehicles will be allowed to use Cape Collison Road east of Lin Shing Road from 7am to 7pm daily on March 14, 21 and 28, April 18, 19, 25, 26 and 30, and May 2 and 3. Special traffic arrangements in Phase II may be implemented when necessary.

Phase II

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 7pm daily on March 15, 22 and 29, April 10 to 13, and May 1:

– The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and Crematorium, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
– The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery;
– Wan Tsui Lane;
– Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for green minibus (GMB) route 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Southbound Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M, 16X and 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles with permit, and vehicles heading to Wan Tsui Estate; – Northbound Lin Shing Road, except for GMB route 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit; and
– If necessary, the leftmost lane of northbound Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Fei Tsui Road.

     Depending on traffic condition, taxis and public light buses (PLBs) may be allowed to enter Lin Shing Road and turn right to Cape Collinson Road.

     Special traffic arrangements in Phase III may be implemented when necessary.

Phase III

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 7pm daily on April 4 and 5:

– The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and Crematorium, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
– The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery;
– Wan Tsui Lane;
– Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Southbound Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles with permit, and vehicles heading to Wan Tsui Estate; and
– If necessary, the leftmost lane of northbound Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Fei Tsui Road.

B. Traffic diversions

     In connection with the above road closures, the following roads will be re-routed:

– Cape Collinson Road between its slip road to Crematorium and Shek O Road will be re-routed one-way westbound; and
– Eastern section of Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Fei Tsui Road will be re-routed one-way westbound.

C. No parking

     No parking will be permitted along the following roads:

– Cape Collinson Road;
– Lin Shing Road;
– Shek O Road between Lai Chi Rehabilitation Centre and Tai Tam Road;
– Wan Tsui Road;
– The lay-by along Shek O Road; and
– The lay-by along Tai Tam Road between Shek O Road and Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir.

     Taxis, PLBs and private cars cannot enter Lin Shing Road for Cape Collinson Road, except for vehicles gaining access to Wan Tsui Estate. They will be allowed to drop off passengers at the PLB stand on Fei Tsui Road near the junction with Wan Tsui Road.

     PLBs cannot pick up/set down passengers along Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Lin Shing Road.

     Depending on traffic conditions, PLBs may not be allowed to enter Tai Tam Road from Chai Wan Road.

(2) Pok Fu Lam

     Consort Rise between Victoria Road and Bisney Road will be re-routed one-way southbound from 7am to 5pm daily on March 21, 22, 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 11 and 12.

(3) Aberdeen

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 6pm daily on March 21, 22, 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 11 and 12:

– Peel Rise in the vicinity of the Aberdeen Chinese Permanent Cemetery; and
– The slip road from Shek Pai Wan Road leading to the Aberdeen Chinese Permanent Cemetery.

Kowloon
——-

Tseung Kwan O

     The access road leading to Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery will be closed from 5.30am to 6pm daily on March 15, 21, 22 and 28, and April 10 to 13, except for special route No. 14S of Kowloon Motor Bus Company, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit.

     The above road will be closed from 5.30am to 8pm daily on March 29, and April 4 and 5.

     Grave-sweepers can go to the cemetery on foot via the access road on Ko Chiu Road or via the footpath with staircases opposite MTR Tiu Keng Leng Station. Those using wheel chairs are advised to enter the cemetery at Ko Chiu Road.

New Territories
—————

(1) Wo Hop Shek

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented daily on March 21, 22, 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19:

A. Road closure (daily from 6am to 5pm)

– Kiu Tau Road, except for hearses;
– Ming Yin Road, except for franchised buses;
– Wo Ka Lau Road; and
– All access roads within Wo Hop Shek Cemetery.

B. Traffic diversions

– Traffic along northbound Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon cannot turn right to southbound Pak Wo Road; and
– Traffic along southbound Pak Wo Road near MTR Fanling Station cannot turn right to the car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon.

C. Suspension of parking spaces (daily from 7am to 5pm)

– The car park on Wo Hing Road near Ming Yin Road roundabout, except for taxis;
– The car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon, except for the disabled parking spaces and public buses of the residents’ service route NR112. Depending on prevailing situation, vehicles carrying elderly and disabled passengers may be allowed to use the car park for interchange with shuttle buses heading for the Wo Hop Shek cemetery; and
– Parking spaces on Wah Ming Lane.

(2) Sandy Ridge

     The Frontier Closed Area from Lo Wu Station to Lo Wu Station Road will be open to grave-sweepers between 6am and 6pm daily from March 21 to April 19.

     The following roads will be closed between 6am and 6pm daily on March 21, 22, 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19:

– Lo Wu Station Road from its junction with Man Kam To Road to a point of about 280 metres west of the same junction, near the cemetery management office, except for vehicles of Lo Wu Village residents and vehicles that are allowed to park at the car park of MTR Lo Wu Station; and
– Sha Ling Road, except for vehicles of Sha Ling residents.

(3) Tuen Mun

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented daily from 7am to 7pm on March 21, 22, 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19:

A. Intermittent road closure

– Tsing San Path; and
– The access roads leading to Ching Chung Koon and Ching Chung Sin Yuen.

B. Traffic diversions

– Tsing Chung Koon Road between Tsing Lun Road and San Fuk Road will be re-routed one-way northbound; and
– San Fuk Road between Leung Shun Street and Tsing Chun Koon Road will be re-routed one-way westbound.

C. Passengers pick-up and drop-off points

     Three temporary pick up and drop off points will be set up at northbound Tsing Chung Koon Road opposite to Castle Peak Hospital, northbound Tsing Chung Koon Road opposite to Tuen Mun Hospital, and westbound Tsing Lun Road outside Tuen Mun Hospital.

(4) Kwai Tsing

     Wing Yin Street and Wing Hau Street will be closed from 7am to 5pm daily on March 15, 21 and 28, and April 10, 11, 13, 18 and 25, except for hearses and franchised buses.　

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 7am to 5pm daily on March 22 and 29, and April 4, 5, 12 and 19, and when necessary:

– Southbound Wing Tak Street between the entrance of City Point and Wing Shun Street, Wing Yin Street, and Wing Shun Street between Wing Tak Street and Kwai Hei Street will be closed, except for hearses, franchised buses, GMBs and taxis;
– Wing Chong Street, Wing Hau Street and Wing Lap Street will be closed; and
– Wing Kei Road between Kwai Hei Street and Wing Kin Road will be re-routed one-way southbound. Vehicles cannot travel via Kwai Hei Street for Wing Kin Road.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precinct of the above areas may be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.