The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 30) that the Leisure Link counter booking and self-service kiosks services have resumed as normal. The booking services had been suspended for system enhancement works.

     Mobile Libraries 5 and 8 will suspend services during designated periods in January next year for routine maintenance, a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 30).
 
     Mobile Library 5 will suspend services from January 13 to 18. The affected service points are Hin Keng Estate, Kam Tai Court, Mei Tin Estate and Yan On Estate in Sha Tin; Kin Ming Estate, Yee Ming Estate and Mang Kung Uk Road in Sai Kung; and Fu Shin Estate and Fu Heng Estate in Tai Po. For enquiries about Mobile Library 5 services, please call 2696 5842.
 
     Mobile Library 8 will suspend services from January 17 to 23. The affected service points are Choi Ying Estate in Kowloon Bay, Laguna City in Lam Tin, Po Tat Estate in Sau Mau Ping, Tai Hang Tung Estate on Tai Hang Tung Road and Laguna Verde in Hung Hom. For enquiries about Mobile Library 8 services, please call 2926 3055.
 
     Readers are welcome to use other public libraries during the service suspension periods. They may also renew library materials by telephoning 2698 0002 or 2827 2833, or via www.hkpl.gov.hk.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 30) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
 
     From December 22 to 28, one community-acquired LD case was reported, involving a male patient, aged 60 with good past health, who lives in Block 29, City One Shatin, Sha Tin District.
 
     "Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any," a spokesman for the CHP said. 
 
     As of December 28 this year, 103 LD cases had been reported. In 2018 and 2017, there were 105 and 72 cases respectively. 
 
     "Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels," the spokesman said.
 
     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
 
     Immunocompromised persons should:
  

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

     The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

     1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
     2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
     3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
     4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
     5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.

     The Transport Department today (December 30) announced that the auction of traditional vehicle registration marks will be held on January 11 (Saturday), in Meeting Room S221, L2, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     "A total of 340 vehicle registration marks will be put up for public auction. The list of marks has been posted at the department's website, www.td.gov.hk," a department spokesman said.

     Applicants who have paid a deposit of $1,000 to reserve a mark for auction should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price of $1,000). Otherwise, the mark may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.

     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following important points:

(a) Successful bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:

(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" or "The Government of the HKSAR". (For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed.) Successful bidders can also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS). Payment by post-dated cheques, cash or other methods will not be accepted.

(b) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the memorandum will not be permitted.

(c) A vehicle registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.

(d) Special registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special registration mark shall be cancelled.

(e) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the mark will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.

     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of Vehicle Registration Marks, which can be downloaded from the department's website, www.td.gov.hk.

     Members of the public are invited to visit the new phase of the Arts Corner at Hong Kong Park, to be launched on January 1, 2020, under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Visitors can stroll around and look at a wide array of traditional and trendy handicrafts and arts services stalls while enjoying the birdsong and fragrant flowers in the park. The Arts Corner comprises 10 stalls displaying and selling various kinds of handicrafts and artistic works such as fabric crafts, floral artworks and ornaments, as well as providing cultural and arts services including painting, silhouette cutting and portrait sketching.

     With the aim of enhancing public interest in the arts and enriching the artistic atmosphere in Hong Kong, the Arts Corner makes the park an even more appealing and enjoyable place for visitors.

     The 20th phase of Hong Kong Park's Arts Corner will be open between noon and 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from January 1 to December 31 next year. The corner is situated in the outdoor area next to the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware inside the park. Admission is free.

     In addition to Hong Kong Park, the 21st phase of the Arts Corner at Victoria Park will run from April 4 next year to March 28, 2021, and will be open from 10am to 6pm on Sundays and public holidays at the park's South Pavilion Plaza. Individuals or non-profit making organisations (any charitable organisation which is exempt from tax under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance) interested in operating the stalls in this new round of the Victoria Park Arts Corner are welcome to submit applications between January 2 and 23 next year. Prospectuses and application forms can be obtained at Victoria Park Management Office, 1 Hing Fat Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, or Wan Chai District Leisure Services Office, 9/F Lockhart Road Municipal Services Building, 225 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, or downloaded from the park's website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/parks/vp/help.html.

     "The Arts Corner has been well received in past years. Apart from stopping at the Arts Corner, park-goers can also visit other facilities in the parks and spend some pleasant time there," a spokesman for the department said.

     For enquiries on the Arts Corners, please call 2521 5041 (Hong Kong Park) or 2890 5824 (Victoria Park).