The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by The H… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:
This press release summarises the decision of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 88th meeting held in July 2019:
Variation of spectrum assignments of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) and HK Television Entertainment Company Limited (HKTVE) after analogue switch-off
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The switching off of analogue television services (ASO) has been scheduled for end-November 2020. Following the ASO, a total of 160 MHz spectrum in the 614 – 806 MHz band will be made available for high value-added mobile telecommunications services, including the fifth generation mobile (5G) services, by the end of 2021. To enable the spectrum re-allocation, the CA issued notices to TVB and HKTVE today (July 25) to give an advance notice on the variation of their spectrum assignments currently used for the transmission of Jade, ViuTV and ViuTVsix TV programme channels in 2021.
To prevent the interruption of reception of those TV programme channels by the viewing public at large, the CA will assign to TVB and HKTVE the new TV frequency channel at 598 – 606 MHz on February 1, 2021. This will enable TVB and HKTVE to transmit their digital terrestrial television signals for those TV programme channels at both the existing and new TV frequency channels for a simulcast period, before the assignment of the existing TV frequency channels will be withdrawn with effect from November 30, 2021. The Office of the Communications Authority will continue to co-ordinate with TVB and HKTVE on the variation of spectrum assignments and will advise the public nearer the time on the details of the relevant implementation arrangements.
For further details, please refer to the notices published on the CA’s website: www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/statement/en/upload/516/ca_notice_20190725.pdf and www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/statement/en/upload/517/ca_notice2_20190725.pdf. read more
The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, arrived in Guangzhou today (July 25). She visited the High People’s Court of Guangdong Province and the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province to exchange views on matters relating to legal and dispute resolution services in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and to look into opportunities for strengthening collaboration in the area.
In the morning, Ms Cheng met with the President of the High People’s Court of Guangdong Province, Mr Gong Jiali. They discussed the legal development in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and ways to encourage and facilitate relevant units in the Greater Bay Area to launch projects on legal aspects for mutual exchanges.
Ms Cheng met with the Director-General of the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province, Mr Zeng Xianglu, in the afternoon. They discussed Guangdong Province’s liberalisation measures in respect of legal services under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and further collaboration in the Greater Bay Area.
Ms Cheng will return to Hong Kong in the evening.
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, July 25, 2019 is 105.1 (down 0.1 against yesterday’s index). read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 25) closely monitoring seven additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Saudi Arabia from June 1 to 30. The CHP again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit.
According to the WHO, of the additional cases, six were male patients and one was a female patient, with ages from 28 to 71. Among them, four had exposure to camels and consumed camel milk, and one was a health care worker who had contact with a previously confirmed patient. Four had underlying illnesses and one has passed away.
According to the latest information, 2 449 cases have been reported to the WHO (with 845 deaths), including 2 230 in 10 Middle East countries comprising 2 058 in Saudi Arabia, 87 in the United Arab Emirates, 28 in Jordan, 24 in Oman, 19 in Qatar, six in Iran, four in Kuwait, two in Lebanon, and one each in Yemen and Bahrain.
“We will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
“As countries in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, continue to report MERS cases from time to time, travellers should refrain from going to farms, barns or markets with camels and avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry. Most of the cases reported in the Middle East had a history of exposure to camels, consumption of camel milk or contact with other MERS patients,” the spokesman said.
“Scientific evidence showed that camels are reservoirs for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Camels infected with MERS-CoV may not show any signs of infection. Infected animals may shed MERS-CoV through nasal and eye discharge and faeces, and potentially in their milk and urine. The virus may also be found in the raw organs and meat of infected animals. Therefore, the best protection is to practise good hygiene and avoid direct contact with all of these,” the spokesman added.
From time to time, suspected MERS cases reported to the CHP for investigation involve patients with a history of contact with camels in the Middle East. The CHP strongly advises 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.
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 page of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the WHO’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. read more