Police respect people’s freedom of expression, speech and assembly and has all along been assisting the public in conducting peaceful and rational public events.

     However recently, many protestors held public events without complying with the law by notifying the Police. Not only did they conduct unlawful assemblies in various locations but also charge Police cordon lines.   There have been repeated occupation and blocking of roads which severely paralysed the traffic, severely threatening public safety and public order.  When the above situation occurred, Police on one hand had to respect freedom of expression by the public, while on the other hand, maintained public safety and public order.  It was after striking a balance that Police decided on the suitable course of action to take at an appropriate time so as to fulfil their statutory duty in maintaining public safety and order.

     About 5.30pm yesterday (July 7), a public event concluded, in general, peacefully and orderly outside Hong Kong West Kowloon Station.  Afterwards, some protestors started to block Canton Road and northbound of Nathan Road and proceeded towards Mong Kok along Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordon and Yau Ma Tei.  During the course, Police exercised restraint, letting protestors express their views without impeding their action.

     However, when protestors arrived near Mong Kok, some of them started to occupy all northbound and southbound lanes of Nathan Road, completely blocking the most important thoroughfare in Kowloon area and seriously affected the traffic in the vicinity.

     At around 9pm, Police set up cordon line at the junction of Nathan Road and Argyle Street. Despite repeated warnings issued by the Police urging protestors to leave, some protestors refused to comply and even acted violently.  In addition, Police noticed the heavy crowd flow in the area, coupled with lots of narrow lanes, increasing the safety risk at scene. As such, Police decided to take dispersal action.

     During last night and recent operations, Police found that certain Legislative Council (LegCo) Members frequently stood before the Police cordon line, blocking officers in moving forward. This not only seriously obstructed Police in performing their duties but also caused danger to the personal safety of LegCo Members themselves as well as Police officers, reporters and protestors.
     
     The purpose of Police dispersal action was to restore public safety and order as soon as possible and to minimise the inconvenience caused to the public due to road blockage.

     Police appeal to the public not to obstruct its operations by any means or they might be liable to the offence of obstructing police officers.

     Police all along respect press freedom and their right of reporting.  Police also understand the need of the media in filming Police’s dispersal action.  Police will as far as practicable deploy members of Force Media Liaison Cadre to facilitate media reporting under the condition that the effectiveness of Police’s operation will not be compromised.  However, the Police also appeal to media practitioners to put their own personal safety first at the scene when covering public events or large-scale demonstrations.  For their own safety, media practitioners should also avoid keeping “zero distance” with Police’s cordon lines when Police are conducting dispersal action.

     Police understand the work of LegCo Members and are willing to explain Police work to them at an appropriate time, but this must be carried out without affecting Police operations and its effectiveness. It is absolutely impossible to suspend law enforcement operations, such as when the dispersal operation is taking place, to explain to Members.

     Police will continue to strive to ensure the safety and order of Hong Kong.

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 (LCSD) announced today (July 8) that because of sightings of sewage from unidentified sources at Ting Kau Beach in Tsuen Wan District, the red flag has been hoisted and the beach has been closed until further notice. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.
 
     The Environmental Protection Department has been contacted for follow-up action. The LCSD will closely monitor the situation and will take further action as necessary.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Influenza A in a female psychiatric ward, the spokesperson for Kwai Chung Hospital gave the following update today (July 8):
 
     Two more patients (aged 35 and 42) and one staff member in the ward have presented with respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and the test results are pending. Treatments are being given to the patients concerned, who are in stable condition. The staff member is currently on sick leave.
 
     Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to the established guidelines. All other patients in the ward concerned are under close surveillance. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 8) investigating an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in a kindergarten and child care centre in Kowloon City, and again urged the public, schools and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.
 
     The 19 affected students, seven boys and 12 girls aged 2 to 6, as well as one staff member, have developed fever, oral ulcers and rash over the hands or feet since May 25. All of them sought medical attention. Three affected students required hospitalisation and were discharged after treatment. All patients are in a stable condition.
 
     The respiratory specimens of two affected students tested positive for enterovirus (EV) upon laboratory testing.
 
     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit to the school and advised the management on necessary infection control and preventive measures. The school has been put under medical surveillance. Investigations are ongoing.
 
     "HFMD is common in children while adult cases may also appear. It is usually caused by enteroviruses such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. It is clinically characterised by maculopapular rashes or vesicular lesions occurring on the palms, soles and other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Vesicular lesions and ulcers may also be found in the oral cavity. Sometimes patients present mainly with painful ulcers at the back of the mouth, namely herpangina, without rash on the hands or feet," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     "HFMD occurs throughout the year with the usual peak occurring from May to July. A smaller peak may also occur from October to December. According to the CHP's latest surveillance data, the local activity of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is currently at a high level. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact," the spokesman added.

     To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:
 

• Maintain good air circulation;
• Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted;
• Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
• Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.

 
     The public may visit the CHP's page on HFMD and EV71 infection and Public Health Advice for Play Facilities for more information.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will depart for Luxembourg in the early hours on July 11 (Thursday) to attend the Annual Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

     While in Luxembourg, Mr Chan will also call on the AIIB President, Mr Jin Liqun, and financial officials of other regions attending the meeting.
 
     Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong at around noon on July 15. During his absence, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, will act as Financial Secretary.