The Government announced today (December 28) the quarterly land sale programme for the fourth quarter of 2018-19, i.e. January to March 2019.
      
     “In the fourth quarter of 2018-19, the Government will sell by tender four residential sites, with two in Kai Tak, and one each on Lantau and in Yuen Long. The total estimated flat yield is about 1 860 units,” the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, said.
      
      In this quarter, the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) is planning to tender Package 11 of the LOHAS Park, which is estimated to provide about 1 650 flats, while the two Urban Renewal Authority (URA) projects on Hang On Street in Kwun Tong and on Ash Street in Tai Kok Tsui can provide a total of about 210 units. 
      
     “Including private development and redevelopment projects which are capable of providing about 230 units, the private housing land supply in the fourth quarter of 2018-19 is estimated to have a capacity to produce about 3 950 flats in total,” Mr Wong said.
      
     Combining all sources, the private housing land supply in 2018-19 has a capacity of providing about 13 850 flats.
      
     Mr Wong remarked that this supply had taken account of the new public/private split for the supply of housing units recently announced in the Long Term Housing Strategy Annual Progress Report 2018, under which 70% would be for public housing and 30% for private housing.  
      
     Mr Wong also noted that the supply of private housing land had stayed at a relatively high level for a period of time. Taking the three-year period from 2016-17 to 2018-19 as an example, the annual average private housing land supply had a capacity to produce nearly 20 000 flats. In addition, based on the latest projection as at end-September 2018, there would be some 93 000 units available in the first-hand private residential property market for the coming three to four years.
      
     He added that in light of the new public/private split, the Government would also increase the supply of land for public housing development through a multi-pronged approach, including changing land use and suitably increasing development intensity, and using 70% of housing units on Government’s newly developed land for public housing purpose.
      
     On land supply for economic uses, Mr Wong said that the Government will sell by tender in the fourth quarter of 2018-19 one commercial/hotel site in Kai Tak, capable of providing about 80 200 square metres of gross floor area. The successful bidder of this site will be required to provide floor area for hotel use, which is estimated to provide about 480 to 800 hotel rooms.
      
     The list of the sites to be tendered in January to March 2019 is attached. The actual tender timetable will be drawn up taking into account the progress of necessary preparatory work. The Lands Department will separately announce the detailed land sale arrangements before individual sites are tendered.
   

Attention Duty Announcers, Radio and TV Stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:

     With the approach of cold weather, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) reminds the elderly to take precautionary measures during the cold spell. Relatives, friends and neighbours are encouraged to show concern and care for the health of frail elderly persons, particularly those living alone. Those in need may call the SWD hotline at 2343 2255 for assistance.

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 28) that a sample of frozen tuna imported from Japan was found to contain a metal contaminant, mercury, at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the case.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample at import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that it contained mercury at a level of 0.71 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.5 ppm."

     The spokesman said the CFS had informed the importer concerned of the irregularity and had requested it to stop sale of the affected product. 

     "Mercury may affect the nervous system, particularly the developing brain. At high levels, mercury can affect foetal brain development, and affect vision, hearing, muscle co-ordination and memory in adults. Furthermore, as some international organisations such as the World Health Organization have pointed out, consuming predatory fish species is the main source of mercury intake for human beings. The report of the CFS' Total Diet Study has also pointed out that large fish or predatory fish species may contain high mercury levels (for example, tuna, alfonsino, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and king mackerel). Hence, groups particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of mercury, such as pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children, should opt for fish that are smaller in size for consumption and avoid consumption of the above-mentioned types of fish which may contain high mercury levels to minimise the health risk posed to the foetus, infants and young children by excessive exposure to metal contaminants in food," he added.

     According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination above the legal limit may be prosecuted and is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     "People are advised to maintain a balanced and varied diet. To avoid health risks posed by excessive intake of metallic contaminants, pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children should avoid eating large or predatory fish," the spokesman said.

     The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 28) reminded the public, particularly the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health in view of the cold weather.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that cold weather can easily trigger or exacerbate diseases, especially among the elderly and persons suffering from heart disease, respiratory illness or other chronic illnesses.

     "Elderly people have less insulating fat beneath their skin to keep them warm and their body temperature control mechanism may be weaker. Their body may not be able to appropriately respond to the cold weather," the spokesman said.

     Some senior persons may have decreased mobility, which can in turn slow down their ability to generate and conserve body heat. Chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes and endocrine disorders, may undermine the health of elderly people and lower their metabolic rate, subsequently causing their body to generate less heat.

     The CHP reminded the public, in particular the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to adopt the following preventive measures:
 

• Take note of the weather forecast. Wear warm clothing, including hats, scarves, gloves and socks accordingly;
• Consume sufficient food to ensure adequate calorie intake;
• Perform regular exercise to facilitate blood circulation and heat production;
• Stay in a warm environment and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure;
• Use heaters with care and maintain adequate indoor ventilation; and
• Seek medical advice if feeling unwell.

 
     In addition, the public should avoid alcoholic beverages.

     "Drinking alcohol cannot keep you warm. Alcohol accelerates the loss of body heat through dilated blood vessels, resulting in chilling instead," the spokesman said.

     "Parents should ensure that babies are sufficiently warm, but it is also important to keep babies lightly clothed to avoid overheating them," the spokesman added.

     Parents should observe the following safety measures when putting their children to bed:
 

• Keep the room well ventilated and with a comfortable temperature;
• Always place babies on their back to sleep. Babies usually sleep well without a pillow;
• Place babies on a firm and well-fitted mattress to sleep. Avoid soft objects and loose bedding;
• Leave their head, face and arms uncovered during sleep; and
• Let babies sleep in a cot placed in the parents' room and near their bed.

     Members of the public are advised to take heed of the following advice to reduce the risk of getting influenza and respiratory tract infections:
 

• Maintain adequate rest, a balanced diet and regular physical activity, and avoid stress and do not smoke;
• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
• Maintain good hand hygiene via proper handwashing or use of alcohol-based handrub;
• Ensure good ventilation;
• Wear a face mask in the event of influenza-like symptoms, while taking care of patients and when visiting hospitals or clinics;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper in a lidded rubbish bin and wash hands immediately afterwards;
• Seek medical advice when feeling unwell, and stay at home; and
• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination, which is suitable for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications.

     Food-borne diseases, particularly those linked to hot pot cuisine, are also common in cold weather. The following preventive measures should be taken:
 

• Wash hands before handling and consuming food;
• Do not patronise unlicensed vendors or those with poor hygienic standards while selecting food;
• Wash and cook all food thoroughly;
• Vegetables should be washed thoroughly in clean running water before cooking and consumption. When appropriate, scrub vegetables with hard surfaces with a clean brush to remove dirt and substances, including pesticide residues and contaminants, from the surface and crevices;
• Shrimps should be fully cooked by cooking them until the shells turn red and the flesh turns white and opaque;
• For shellfish like scallops and geoduck, scrub the shells thoroughly and remove internal organs;
• Most hot pot ingredients should be stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees Celsius or below, while frozen food should be stored in a freezer at -18 degrees C or below;
• Never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce for hot pot; and
• Use different sets of chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination.

     In addition, the public should not use charcoal as cooking fuel in poorly ventilated areas, especially indoors, to avoid harmful exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and prevent CO poisoning. While using other kinds of fuel, the public should also ensure adequate ventilation.

     For more health information, the public may call the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111) or visit the CHP's website and Facebook Fanpage.

     The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit the website of the Hong Kong Observatory for the latest weather information and forecast, or its page on Weather Information for Senior Citizens.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Cold Weather Warning is in force:

     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Cold Weather Warning is in force, they should take appropriate precautions such as reminding employees who have to work outdoors or in remote areas to wear appropriately warm clothing, and make arrangements for employees to rotate from outdoor to indoor or sheltered work sites as far as possible. Employees should take note of the weather report, wear appropriately warm clothing and be mindful of their health conditions. They should notify their supervisors and seek medical help immediately if feeling unwell, such as having cold limbs and body shivering.