Attention radio/TV announcers:

     Please broadcast the following at suitable intervals:

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department reminds people to keep places clean while celebrating Christmas Eve tonight (December 24). Rubbish should be put in rubbish bins. Anyone not disposing of rubbish properly is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500.

     Please remember that the Hong Kong Cultural Centre piazza area, Salisbury Garden and the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade will be crowded. People who intend to go there should mind their safety.

     A new round of one-off electricity charges subsidy of $2,000 will be provided to each eligible residential electricity account from January 2020. The subsidy is one of the relief measures announced by the Financial Secretary in August 2019, having regard to the current economic situation and outlook in Hong Kong and to counter the challenging external and local economic environments.

     Starting from January 1, 2020, a subsidy of $160 will be credited to each residential electricity account with CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP) or the Hongkong Electric Company, Limited (HK Electric) in existence on the first day of each month for 11 consecutive months, and $240 in the 12th month, making up a total of $2,000.

     The credits under the new subsidy scheme, together with the unused credits provided under similar schemes in 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the relief provided under the Electricity Charges Relief Scheme, can be used for the purpose of offsetting the billed charges for electricity consumed under the account. Any unused credits can be carried forward in the same account up to December 31, 2022, or the close of the account, whichever is earlier.

     The credits under the new subsidy scheme will be reflected in the electricity bills for residential accounts with the two electricity companies. Users may contact CLP's Customer Service Hotline on 2678 2678 or HK Electric's Customer Service Hotline on 2887 3411 for enquiries on account matters. More details of the new subsidy scheme can be found at www.fstb.gov.hk.

     On December 6, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved the provision of a one-off electricity charges subsidy of $2,000 to each eligible residential electricity account. This one-off measure will involve government expenditure of about $5.6 billion.  Over 2.7 million eligible households will benefit.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 24) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) today (December 24) announced that tenants (including licencees) who live in its public rental units and pay normal rent will not be required to pay rent for the month of January 2020. The measure is not applicable to tenants who are required to pay additional rent.
 
     The Financial Secretary announced on August 15 a package of helping measures, which included, among other things, paying one month's rent for lower-income tenants living in the public rental units of HA. The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved relevant funding on December 6. About 750 000 HA tenants will benefit from the measure.
 
     "The Government will pay the rent for January 2020 for HA tenants and licencees paying normal rent. The HA will notify all tenants and licencees of the arrangement," a spokesman for the HA said.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.