The latest test results of the opening-up investigation in the second stage of the holistic assessment strategy for the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) project (as at January 25) are now available at the Highways Department's website for the SCL project (www.hyd.gov.hk/en/road_and_railway/railway_projects/scl/index.html) for reference by the public.

The following is issued on behalf of the Community Care Fund Secretariat:
 
     The Community Care Fund (CCF) will launch the fourth phase of the Elderly Dental Assistance Expanded Programme on February 1 (Friday) to cover people who are Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) recipients aged 65 or above with a view to enabling more elderly persons who have financial difficulties and do not receive Comprehensive Social Security Assistance to benefit from free removable dentures and other related dental services.
 
     Refinements of the fourth phase of the expanded programme include relaxing the number of visits for other free dental services from one time to two times for elderly persons for whom removable dentures are not appropriate, and raising the maximum number of claim applications for X-ray films in each case from four films to six for each eligible dentist. The Programme will continue to provide free removable dentures and other related dental services to eligible elderly people. No additional funding is required for the above measures.
 
     Under the Elderly Dental Assistance Programme, some 190 district service units, including elderly centres, community centres and dental clinics which process applications directly, will handle applications and arrange the first dental appointment for eligible elderly persons. These units are located in various districts across the territory.
 
     After completion of the necessary dental treatments, the project office set up under the implementing agent of the programme, the Hong Kong Dental Association (HKDA), will disburse the subsidy to the dentists directly. The dentists should not charge the participating elderly persons any fee.
 
     With effect from February 1, eligible elderly persons aged 65 or above can bring along the necessary documents to apply in person at the district service units.
 
     The relevant leaflet and a list of district service units handling applications will be available for distribution at the elderly centres in various districts from next Friday. The eligibility and application procedures of the programme and the list of district service units can also be found on the websites of the CCF (www.communitycarefund.hk) and the HKDA (www.hkda.org). For enquiries, please call the hotline of the programme at 2525 8198.
 
     The Elderly Dental Assistance Programme was introduced in September 2012 to provide free removable dentures and other related dental services to low-income elderly persons who are users of home care service or home help service schemes subvented by the Social Welfare Department. The programme was expanded by phases in September 2015, October 2016 and July 2017 to cover elderly persons who are OALA recipients aged 80 or above (first phase expansion), aged 75 or above (second phase expansion) and aged 70 or above (third phase expansion) respectively.

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 announced today (January 25) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 25) released the latest grading of water quality of four gazetted beaches which are open all year round for swimming.  
   
Four beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:        

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, there was no change in the grading for these beaches.
      
     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, an 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. Latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department's websites on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

The following is issued on behalf of the Commission of Inquiry into the Diaphragm Wall and Platform Slab Construction Works at the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link Project:

     The Commission of Inquiry into the Diaphragm Wall and Platform Slab Construction Works at the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link Project directs that the substantive hearing to hear closing addresses by Counsel for the Commission and the involved parties shall commence at 9.30am on January 28 at the hearing room on the first floor of the former Tsuen Wan Law Courts Building, 70 Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong.