An operational event at Taishan Nuclear Power Station (TNPS) was reported today (August 29) on the website of Taishan Nuclear Power Joint Venture Co Ltd (TNPJVC), a spokesperson for the Security Bureau said today.

     On August 20, Unit 1 of TNPS was at normal operating condition. At 4.50pm, on configurating the operation status of the ventilation system according to the maintenance work arrangement, the unable of remote control of two ventilation dampers of the safety plant was observed, which was inconsistent with the requirements of the operational technical specifications. Station staff took corrective measures immediately. At 5.46pm, the system functionality was resumed to normal.

     The event was classified as a "Below Scale Licensing Operational Event" (i.e. "Level 0" event) on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and had no effect on the safe operation of the nuclear power station, or on the health of the workers, nearby public or the environment. All nuclear generating units currently in operation at TNPS remain in safe and stable operation.

     â€‹TNPJVC has disclosed the details about this event on its website. The details can be viewed at www.tnpjvc.com.cn (Chinese only).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 29) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The case is detailed below:
 

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise 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," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for 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 pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization'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.

     The main contractor and subcontractor of a Kai Tak residential development construction site, namely Tysan Foundation Geotechnical Limited and Kit Kee Engineering Limited, failed to meet the requirements of a construction noise permit (CNP) as a result of using unpermitted powered mechanical equipment to carry out construction works at night. The main contractor and subcontractor involved were convicted and fined a total of $60,000 at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (August 29) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).

     In the light of the new housing developments in the Kai Tak Development Area (KTDA) gradually reaching completion and beginning residential intake, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has been closely controlling construction noise in the area in accordance with the NCO, with a view to preventing nearby residents from being disturbed. The EPD received a complaint from a local resident in January against noise nuisance caused by the carrying out of construction work at night at a construction site in the KTDA. Law enforcement officers of the EPD conducted a blitz inspection of the construction site in early February and discovered that a concrete lorry mixer and a concrete-pump lorry were being used to carry out works till almost 8pm, generating loud noise. However, the CNP for the construction site only permitted the use of quieter powered mechanical equipment at night. The EPD revoked the permit for the construction site immediately and prosecuted the main contractor and subcontractor of the construction site under the NCO.

     The spokesman for the EPD explained that the NCO aims to protect the public from disturbance of rest. Construction contractors should arrange for construction works to be carried out during daytime and non-general holidays as far as possible to minimise noise disturbances to nearby residents. If powered mechanical equipment has to be used during restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am on the following day, or at any time on a general holiday), construction contractors must obtain a CNP from the EPD in advance. Such construction works shall only commence when a CNP is granted upon completion of an assessment that support its compliance with regulatory requirements. Construction contractors should only use specified powered mechanical equipment with noise mitigation measures in place within the period stipulated in a CNP. Otherwise it constitutes an offence. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 on first conviction. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on a subsequent conviction.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, August 29, 2019 is 107.3 (same as yesterday's index).

     The Mid-Autumn Festival this year falls on September 13 (Friday) and the full moon (Note) will occur shortly after midday the next day. If weather permits, a bright round moon will be observable at night during the Mid-Autumn Festival period.
 
     To assist moon watching by the public, the times of moonrise, transit, moonset and full moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival period are listed in the table below. At transit, the Moon passes the local meridian due south and its elevation is the highest of the night.
 

 
     For the latest weather conditions during the Mid-Autumn Festival period, please refer to the nine-day weather forecast issued by the Hong Kong Observatory (www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/currwx/fnd.htm) for the planning of moon-watching activities.
 
Note: At full moon, the Moon as seen from the Earth is completely illuminated with the Moon and the Sun located on the opposite sides of the Earth.