The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson of Kwai Chung Hospital made the following announcement today (July 5):
 
     Three patients (aged 28 to 69) of a female psychiatric ward presented with upper respiratory tract symptoms since July 2. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for Influenza A. Treatment is being given to the patients concerned, who are all in stable condition.
 
     Admission to the ward and visiting have been suspended. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward 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 Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (July 5) 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*). 

     Eleven beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 17 as Fair (Grade 2) and 11 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 and Upper Cheung Sha Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2.

     "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 Lands Department (LandsD) issued five pre-sale consents for residential developments in the second quarter of 2019.

     The five pre-sale consents for four residential developments (of which one is phased development) involve a total of 2 622 residential units. One development in Tai Po, comprising 723 residential units, is expected to be completed in 2020. Two developments in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun and two phases of one phased development in Tseung Kwan O, comprising a total of 1 899 residential units, are expected to be completed in 2021.

     The department also issued three consents to assign for residential developments in the second quarter of 2019. The three consents to assign involve a total of 3 162 residential units in Yuen Long, Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan.

     As at the end of June 2019, 25 applications for pre-sale consent for residential developments and three applications for pre-sale consent for non-residential developments are being processed.

     The 25 applications in respect of residential developments being processed involve a total of 10 767 residential units. Details are set out as follows:
 

 
     In addition, seven applications for consent to assign are being processed. The applications involve a total of 3 138 residential units and two commercial units.

     Members of the public can obtain up-to-date information on consents issued for the past quarter and cases pending approval as at the end of June 2019 by visiting the LandsD's website (www.landsd.gov.hk).

     Intending purchasers are advised to study carefully the details of the development and the sale procedures, through information available from public advertisements, and sales brochures and price lists released by the developer, before making a deposit for purchase. The sales brochure for a development also contains a summary of the provisions of the Deed of Mutual Covenant, including information on the common parts, the number of undivided shares assigned to each unit, the term of years for which the manager is appointed, the basis on which the management expenses are shared among the owners of the units, the basis on which the management fee deposit is fixed and the retained areas (if any), as well as a summary of the provisions of the government land grant, which intending purchasers are recommended to read carefully.

     LPG Media International Limited and its director were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for defaulting on the sums awarded by the Labour Tribunal (LT) to three employees, contrary to the Employment Ordinance (EO). The company and its director pleaded guilty earlier at Eastern Magistrates' Courts and were fined today (July 5) $90,000 and $60,000 respectively, making a total of $150,000.

     The company failed to pay three employees the awarded sums totalling about $390,000 within 14 days after the date of the LT Award as required by the EO. The director was convicted for his consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.  

     "The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers and responsible officers of companies on their responsibilities under the EO that they have to pay the awarded sums according to the LT or Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board," a spokesman for the LD said.

     "The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today (July 5) to enhance collaboration between the two authorities in supporting fintech innovation.
 
     The MoU was signed between the Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Norman Chan, and the Chairman of the ACPR and Governor of Banque de France, Mr François Villeroy de Galhau. Under the MoU, the HKMA and the ACPR may collaborate on referral of innovative businesses, information and experience sharing, joint innovative projects, and expertise sharing.
 
     The HKMA and the ACPR share the view that through closer collaboration with each other, both authorities will be able to create an environment conductive to financial innovation in their respective markets, ultimately leading to mutually beneficial outcomes.
 
     Mr Norman Chan said, "To capture more fully the enormous opportunities offered by the new era of smart banking, there is a need to continue our cross-border fintech collaboration with major markets such as Europe. The signing of this MoU with France, one of the largest economies in Europe and a fast-growing fintech hub, signifies the HKMA's commitment to further strengthening our ties with Europe in the area of fintech. We look forward to working closely with the ACPR and driving our collaboration forward."
 
     Mr Villeroy de Galhau said, "This MoU underscores the strong bilateral ties between the HKMA and the ACPR. For some years, both authorities have been strongly committed to promoting innovation in their respective financial market, while safeguarding financial stability and consumer protection. In particular, Hong Kong has become one of the most dynamic fintech hubs in Asia. This collaboration will help both authorities share their expertise on the regulation of digital finance and ease the international expansion of innovative financial businesses."
 
About the HKMA

     The HKMA is the government authority in Hong Kong responsible for maintaining monetary and banking stability. It was established in April 1993 by merging the Office of the Exchange Fund and the Office of the Commissioner of Banking.
 
The HKMA's policy objectives are:

• to maintain currency stability within the framework of the Linked Exchange Rate System;
• to promote the stability and integrity of the financial system, including the banking system;
• to help maintain Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre, including the maintenance and development of Hong Kong's financial infrastructure; and
• to manage the Exchange Fund.

 
About the ACPR

     The ACPR is an integrated supervisory authority operationally attached to Banque de France. In charge of conducting supervision for the banking and insurance sectors, the ACPR supervises the application of prudential regulations in the financial sector to:

• ensure the continuity of banking and insurance activities;
• prevent money laundering and terrorist financing;
• protect customers; and
• maintain financial stability.