Around 8pm last night (February 12), rioters occupied Po Kong Village Road, Wong Tai Sin and set barricades, seriously paralysing traffic and obstructing emergency services. Some of them even threw rubbish at roads, endang… read more
In view of recent public concern about the repair, maintenance and alteration of the drainage system of domestic flats, a spokesman for the Buildings Department (BD) gave the following remarks today (February 12):
(1) Building owners who wish to erect, alter or remove the drainage system (including the anti-syphonage pipes) in their premises may so pursue in accordance with the simplified requirements under the Minor Works Control System by appointing suitable contractors registered under the Buildings Ordinance so as to ensure that the drainage system in their premises are in compliance with the provisions of the Buildings Ordinance and the relevant regulations. These include every sanitary fitment (such as water closet, wash basin and bathtub) should be provided with an effective water seal (such as a trap with anti-syphonage provision). Such requirements are also applicable to the erection or alteration of drain pipes involved in subdivision of flats.
(2)​ The contractors registered under the Buildings Ordinance for such kind of works shall satisfy the requirements of the BD on qualifications, competency and experience. Any person other than a qualified registered contractor or a person acting under the supervision of a qualified registered contractor, who, without reasonable excuse, certifies or carries out minor works shall be guilty of an offence. Furthermore, the BD has reminded registered contractors the requirements on drainage works in the Technical Guidelines on Minor Works Control System. The registered contractors shall comply with the relevant statutory and safety requirements when carrying out, supervising the works and certifying completion of works. They shall also submit the completion certificates and relevant information to the BD.
(3) ​To ensure the quality of works, the BD will randomly select completed works for checking, which includes checking of submitted documents and site audit as necessary. The audit check system is risk-based, focusing on minor works items that are more complicated and involving a higher level of risk. The BD will increase site audit on minor works involving alteration of drainage systems in building units in order to enhance the monitoring of such kind of minor works.
(4)​ If contravention of the provisions of the Buildings Ordinance is found during the audit check, the BD will take enforcement action including requiring the concerned persons to rectify and instigating prosecution and disciplinary actions against the concerned persons as necessary.
(5) ​If occupants suspect irregularities in the drainage system of their premises, such as odour from the drainage outlet or anti-syphonage pipe, seepage or cracks at the drainage pipes, they should arrange qualified contractors to conduct checking and repair as soon as possible. The BD has formulated a set of guidelines reminding the public on the proper maintenance and repair of drainage pipes including traps, which is available on the department’s website (www.bd.gov.hk/doc/en/resources/pamphlets-and-videos/DrainagePipeMaintenance.pdf). The BD will continue its work on stepping up public education and publicity to enhance people’s understanding about the drainage system and its proper repair and maintenance. read more
Since February 8, 2020, the Department of Health (DH) has been issuing compulsory quarantine orders to all people entering Hong Kong from the Mainland and all people who have been to the Mainland in the past 14 days preceding arrival at Hong Kong. People concerned are required to stay at home or other dwelling place for a 14-day quarantine. They have not developed any symptoms and passed temperature checks upon entry. Those with symptoms will be referred to the DH for further handling.
After reviewing the actual operation, the Government will enhance the surveillance of compulsory quarantine. Apart from those being transferred to the Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centre, if the persons under compulsory quarantine fail to share their real-time locations with their mobile phones at the boundary control points, we will immediately request them to wear electronic wristbands with a view to monitoring whether they are staying at the dwelling places.
Moreover, the DH will continue to make telephone calls to the persons under quarantine while the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) will request the persons concerned to share their real-time locations everyday as well as make surprise video calls to make sure that they are staying at the dwelling places.
If the Government cannot contact the persons under quarantine successfully, the Government will consider issuing wanted warrants against them. For the two persons under quarantine on Police’s wanted list earlier, the Police have already contacted them and taken statement. The Government will consider the further actions.
The Government has also further strengthened manpower to assist the DH and the OGCIO in implementing the aforesaid compulsory quarantine measures and the surveillance work.
The Government has to reiterate the importance of self-discipline by people under quarantine. They must strictly comply with the quarantine orders. Any person concerned who leave accommodation without permission may commit a criminal offence, and subject to a maximum penalty of imprisonment for six months and a fine of $25,000 upon conviction.
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 8pm today (February 12), the CHP is investigating one additional case of novel coronavirus infection, taking to 50 the number of confirmed cases so far in Hong Kong. Of them, one patient was discharged from hospital after treatment today.
The new case involves a 51-year-old man who is the colleague of the 55-year-old female patient of the 37th case confirmed on February 10. The patient has good past health and lives in On Tao House, Cheung On Estate, Tsing Yi. He developed fever since February 3 and consulted a private doctor on February 4. The patient sought medical attention at Kwong Wah Hospital on February 10, admitted for isolation and management on the same day, and was transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital today. His respiratory sample was tested positive for novel coronavirus and he is now in a stable condition. The patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His close contact, namely his younger sister, has developed symptoms and will be transferred to hospital for isolation and treatment.
A spokesman for the CHP said, “According to our preliminary epidemiological investigations, some of the confirmed cases are locally infected. The CHP strongly urged 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.”
The spokesman said, “On the 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. The public should go out less and reduce social activities, and maintain appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible.”
“As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps); after using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs.”
The CHP will report the cases to the World Health Organization, National Health Commission, Health Commission of Guangdong Province and Health Bureau of Macao.
Besides, the CHP received notification from the Singapore Ministry of Health of a confirmed case in Singapore. The patient worked as a private hire car driver and reported onset of symptoms on January 30. On February 2, the patient drove a Singapore citizen who then travelled to Hong Kong by air on the same day. The CHP has contacted the passenger and would put him under quarantine.
The CHP’s epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. The CHP is also closely monitoring and following up on the contact tracing of relevant confirmed cases in the Mainland and overseas. Quarantine will be arranged for close contacts while medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts. For the progress on the contact tracing of the cases, please see annex.
The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 1122) for public enquiries. The hotline operates from 8am to midnight daily. As at 4pm today, a total of 11 788 calls were received.
A dedicated webpage (www.gov.hk/ncv) has been set up by the CHP. Information including the latest local situation, list of buildings and list of flights/trains/ships relevant to the confirmed cases, countries/areas with reported cases as well as health advice and a “Novel Coronavirus Infection Local Situation Interactive Map Dashboard” are available on the webpage to help the public grasp 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 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 door knobs; 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 liter of water into each drain outlet (U-traps) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• 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 public should take heed of the health advice below when travelling outside Hong Kong:
• Do not travel to Hubei Province where community transmission of novel coronavirus is occurring;
• Avoid close contact with persons with fever or respiratory symptoms in countries/areas with possible community transmission of novel coronavirus infection. If it is unavoidable to come into contact with them, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong;
• Avoid visiting hospitals. If it is necessary to visit a hospital, put on a surgical mask and observe strict personal and hand hygiene;
• Avoid touching animals (including game), poultry/birds or their droppings;
• Avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms;
• Avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections;
• Do not consume game meat and do not patronise food premises where game meat is served;
• Adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or undercooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled;
• If feeling unwell when outside Hong Kong, especially if experiencing a fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, inform the hotel staff or tour escort and seek medical advice at once; and
• After returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if experiencing a fever or other symptoms, take the initiative to inform the doctor of any recent travel history and any exposure to animals, and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spread of the disease. read more
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has accepted the advice of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee and approved from the Disaster Relief Fund two grants totalling $2.286 million to tw… read more