Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Marine Department today (March 13) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported.

     Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

     Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly.

     Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67.

     In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released today (March 13) the key analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund at the end of February 2020.
      
     Foreign assets, representing the external assets of the Exchange Fund, increased during the month by HK$10.5 billion to HK$3,652.7 billion.
      
     The Monetary Base, comprising Certificates of Indebtedness, Government‑issued currency notes and coins in circulation, the balance of the banking system and Exchange Fund Bills and Notes issued, amounted to HK$1,686.6 billion.
      
     Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong amounted to HK$253.6 billion.
      
     The analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund are released in accordance with the International Monetary Fund's Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) and are referred to as the Analytical Accounts of the Central Bank under SDDS (Annex).
      
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     At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund's data are issued by the HKMA each month.  Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with the International Monetary Fund's Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS).  The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund's Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA's policy of maintaining a high level of transparency.  For the month of March 2020, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows:
 

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (March 13) that the monthly territory-wide ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus decreased from 0.2 per cent in January to 0.1 per cent in February, indicating that the infestation of Aedes albopictus in the areas surveyed was not extensive and the ovitrap index still remained at a low level. Nevertheless, the FEHD reminded the public to carry out early effective measures against mosquitoes as the warm and humid weather of spring is favourable for mosquito breeding.
      
     "Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever (DF) as well as the Zika virus infection. DF is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and has become endemic in many countries in Southeast Asia. The World Health Organization also issued warnings that the number of DF cases recorded in Asia last year was higher than before. Since Hong Kong recorded one local DF case last year and the dengue activity in neighbouring areas has remained high, while the weather will turn even warmer and more humid in spring which will be conducive to large-scale mosquito breeding in a short period of time, the community must stay vigilant and continue to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures," an FEHD spokesman said.
      
     Among the 57 areas surveyed last month, positive ovitrap indices, ranging from 0.9 per cent to 1 per cent, were recorded in four areas. As for the port areas, the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for February remained at zero.
      
     "The FEHD and relevant government departments will continue to intensify their mosquito prevention and control work covering areas under their purview and strengthen publicity and education campaigns. The FEHD is conducting a three-phase Anti-mosquito Campaign this year. The first phase of the territory-wide campaign, lasting for four weeks, started on February 24 and will end on March 20. During the period, mosquito prevention and control work has been enhanced by the FEHD and relevant government departments. The district offices of the FEHD have targeted areas which have drawn particular concern, such as locations in close proximity to human residences, schools, construction sites, public housing estates, hospitals, illegal cultivation sites, waterfront public and private cargo working areas, cross boundary check points, typhoon shelters and cross boundary ferry terminals to remove accumulation of water and to carry out mosquito prevention and control work. The second phase of the Anti-mosquito Campaign will start on April 20 and end on June 19. The FEHD will, after the first and second phases of the campaign, conduct territory-wide thematic mosquito prevention and control special operations so as to enhance the effectiveness of the campaign," the spokesman said.

     The spokesman added that as Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, members of the public should carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing the water in vases and scrubbing the inner surface as well as removing the water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. He also advised public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

     In addition, rural areas and the vicinity of shrubby areas are natural habitats for mosquitoes, other insects and animals. Members of the public living in rural areas may install mosquito screens on windows and doors if necessary. Those staying in the natural environment should take appropriate personal protective measures against mosquitoes, such as avoiding staying in the vicinity of shrubby areas for a long time, wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers, and applying DEET-containing insect repellent. Members of the public are reminded to make reports to relevant government departments via 1823 if mosquito problems are detected.

     The spokesman reiterated that effective mosquito control requires the sustained effort of all parties concerned. The community must work together with the Government to carry out effective mosquito control measures.     
      
     The ovitrap indices for Aedes albopictus in different areas and information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk.    

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (March 13) released the latest grading of water quality for eight gazetted beaches (see Note).

     Seven beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and one as Fair (Grade 2).

Grade 1 beaches are:           

 
Grade 2 beach is:

 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
 
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
 
Note: To tie in with the response level under the “Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance” having been raised to the Emergency Response Level and to encourage people to avoid gathering, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced that all beaches will continue to be temporarily closed until further notice.

     The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Wang Tau Hom and Tung Tau Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
 
     "The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide development and redevelopment within the Wang Tau Hom and Tung Tau area," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (March 13).
 
     The planning scheme area (the Area), covering an area of about 184 hectares, is located in Central Kowloon within Wong Tai Sin District. It is bounded by Junction Road/Chuk Yuen Road and Lion Rock Tunnel Road to the west, Choi Hung Road and Shatin Pass Road to the east, and Tung Tau Tsuen Road/Tung Tsing Road and Prince Edward Road East to the south.
 
     A large portion of the Area has already been developed. The predominant land use is residential with about 67.31 hectares of land zoned "Residential (Group A)", which is intended primarily for high-density developments.
 
     About 0.71 hectares of land are zoned "Commercial" for commercial developments at Lok Fu Shopping Centre Phase II.
 
     About 21.23 hectares of land are zoned "Government, Institution or Community" for the provision of government, institution or community (GIC) facilities serving the needs of the local residents and/or a wider district, region or the territory. Major existing GIC facilities including Wang Tau Hom Jockey Club Clinic, Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital, the swimming pool complex and indoor games hall at Morse Park, various religious institutions, service reservoirs and primary and secondary schools.
 
     About 27.38 hectares are zoned "Open Space" for the provision of outdoor open-air public spaces for active and/or passive recreational uses serving the needs of local residents as well as the general public. A further 39.1 hectares, mainly covering the Lion Rock hill slopes, are zoned "Green Belt" for the conservation of the existing natural environment.
 
     About 2.82 hectares of land are zoned "Other Specified Uses" ("OU") and include the "OU(Cemetery)" zone at Junction Road and other "OU" sites designated for petrol filling stations at Prince Edward Road East.
 
     The approved Wang Tau Hom and Tung Tau OZP No. S/K8/23 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 Wong Tai Sin District Office.
 
     Copies of the approved plan are available for sale at the 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).