The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (August 9) released the latest grading of water quality for 38 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming and one non-gazetted beach (i.e. Discovery Bay*).   

     Seventeen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 17 as Fair (Grade 2) and five as Poor (Grade 3).

Grade 1 beaches are:
 

Grade 2 beaches are:
 

 
Grade 3 beaches are:
 

* Discovery Bay is a non-gazetted beach without lifeguard service.

     Compared with the grading released last week, South Bay Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Silver Mine Bay Beach from Grade 4 to Grade 3. Castle Peak Beach has been changed from Grade 2 to Grade 3.

     "The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.

     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades 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.

     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.

     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 department's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 9) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and strongly urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
 
     From August 2 to 8, the CHP recorded six imported DF cases. The patients had been to Cambodia (two cases), the Philippines (two cases), Malaysia (one case) and Thailand (one case) during the incubation period.
 
     As of yesterday (August 8), 105 cases had been recorded this year, as compared with 56 cases recorded in the same period last year. All the cases recorded in 2019 were imported, mainly from Thailand (19), Cambodia (18) and Malaysia (18).
     
     The CHP has been closely monitoring the latest DF situation in neighbouring and overseas areas. DF is endemic in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world. According to the World Health Organization, some Asian countries are experiencing unusually high numbers of DF cases for this time of year. Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas this year has been uploaded to the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).
     
     ​"Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.

      The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

    
     DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

 
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.
 
     The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel. 

     The Town Planning Board today (August 9) announced amendments to the draft Sai Ying Pun & Sheung Wan Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     The amendments mainly involve the incorporation of the area covered by the approved Urban Renewal Authority Staunton Street/Wing Lee Street Development Scheme Plan (DSP) No. S/H3/URA1/4 into the OZP; zoning of the DSP area mainly as "Other Specified Uses" ("OU") annotated "Cultural, Community, Commercial and Open Space Uses", "OU" annotated "Residential, Institutional and Commercial Uses" and "Residential (Group C)" ("R(C)"); rezoning the Wing Lee Street area from "Comprehensive Development Area" ("CDA") to "OU" annotated "Residential, Institutional and Commercial Uses"; rezoning of a site at 72 Staunton Street from "R(C)" and "Residential (Group A)" ("R(A)") to "R(A)25"; rezoning of sites at Tak Sing Lane from "Open Space", "R(A)8" and area shown as "Pedestrian Precinct/Street" ("PPS") to "R(A)24" and area shown as "PPS"; and stipulation of building height restrictions for various land use zones. Opportunity is also taken to amend the Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP to reflect the above amendments and to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning circumstances, where appropriate.

     The draft Sai Ying Pun & Sheung Wan OZP No. S/H3/33, incorporating the amendments, is now available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Hong Kong District Planning Office and (iv) the Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre.

     Any person may make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before October 9. Any person who intends to make a representation is advised to read the revised Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 29B on "Submission and Publication of Representations, Comments on Representations and Further Representations under the Town Planning Ordinance" (TPB PG-No. 29B) promulgated in November 2018 and taking effect in 2019.

     Submission of a representation should comply with the requirements set out in TPB PG-No. 29B. In particular, the representer should take note of the following:

* If the representer fails to provide his/her full name and the first four alphanumeric characters of his/her HKID card/passport number as required under TPB PG-No. 29B, the representation submitted shall be treated as not having been made; and
* The Secretariat of the Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.

     The Guidelines and the submission form are available at locations (i) and (ii) above and the Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).

     Copies of the draft Sai Ying Pun & Sheung Wan OZP 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).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, August 9, 2019 is 106.5 (same as yesterday's index).

     â€‹The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (August 9) announced that the tender period for the contract for Kwu Tung North and Fanling North New Development Areas, Phase 1: Development of Long Valley Nature Park (Contract No. ND/2019/03) has been extended to noon on September 20.
      
     The CEDD invited tenders for the contract on June 21. The original tender period was scheduled to expire at noon on August 16.
      
     The extension of the tender period was gazetted today. Details of the tender notice are available on the CEDD's website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender-notices/engineering-contracts/tender-notices/index.html). 
      
     The CEDD has appointed AECOM Asia Company Limited as the consultant to design and supervise the works. For enquiries, please call the company at 3922 9000 during office hours.