Tag Archives: China

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (November 2) that to meet passenger demand for departure from Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) during peak hours at weekend, new measures will be implemented to enhance the carrying capacity of shuttle bus services at Hong Kong Port.
 
     A spokesman for the TD said that since the HZMB has commenced operation for more than one week, it was observed that other than individual cross-boundary passengers, many tour groups have made use of shuttle bus services.
 
     During peak hours, the shuttle bus operator had deployed over 110 buses to provide more than 50 trips on the two routes hourly. However, as tour groups rushed to depart from and arrive at Hong Kong Port within several hours in the morning and evening, long queues therefore formed for waiting for shuttle buses especially during peak hours last Saturday and Sunday.
 
     The TD has all along discussed the matter with the shuttle bus operator and also been in liaison with cross-boundary coach trade and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong. After discussions, two measures will be implemented to deal with possible passenger surge at Hong Kong Port in the coming weekend, especially on Sunday.
 
     Firstly, to enhance the carrying capacity of shuttle bus services, the operator has pro-actively increased its fleet today from 120 buses to 138 buses. The TD has also requested the operator to make necessary service adjustments suitably according to the passenger demands in the three places and further improve the queuing and boarding/alighting arrangements. Also, the operator has rented 20 to 30 additional buses from the cross-boundary coach operators, bringing the total number of buses to be deployed to more than 150 buses, so as to meet the passenger demand during peak hours.
 
     Secondly, through the co-ordination by the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TICHK), the cross-boundary coach trade and the TD, a “pre-booked cross-boundary coach service” for tour groups will be provided starting this Sunday to divert passenger flow of a large number of tour groups from using shuttle bus services and make better use of the carrying capacity of the existing cross-boundary coaches.
 
     Through this pre-booking service, travel agencies can purchase cross-boundary coach tickets for journeys from Hong Kong Port to Zhuhai Port for their tour groups in advance. During the departure peak hours in the evening, 24 trips will be available for pre-booking per hour, carrying some 5 000 tour group passengers departing from Hong Kong so that passengers intended to use shuttle bus services can be diverted. The TICHK will co-ordinate the pre-booking arrangements to ensure all coaches to arrive at Zhuhai Port in an orderly manner.
 
     To facilitate the implementation of the above-mentioned new measures, directional signs will be erected in the vicinity of the pick-up areas for shuttle buses and cross-boundary coaches at Hong Kong Port to remind passengers of the diversion arrangements.
 
     The spokesman added that with reference to the existing arrangements for other boundary crossing points, the governments of the three places have started to discuss about the implementation of the special ad hoc quota system to allow cross-boundary coaches allocated with HZMB quotas to operate additional trips to meet the upsurge of the departing and arriving passengers during holidays and special occasions.
 
     Based on observations last Saturday and Sunday, the arrival and departure peaks were noted from 10am to noon and from 6pm to 8pm respectively. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance in order to make their journeys more pleasant and smooth. Members of the public should also stay alert to the latest traffic news on radio.
 
     The TD’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will continue to closely monitor the public transport services to and from the Hong Kong Port in the coming weekend. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (November 2) investigating a probable case of botulism after receiving injection of botulinum toxin locally, and again urged the public that such injections should only be prescribed and performed by registered doctors.

     The female patient, aged 24 with underlying illness, developed generalised weakness, dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath since October 30. She was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital today. The clinical diagnosis was suspected iatrogenic botulism. She is now in a stable condition.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient received botulinum toxin injection at her face in a beauty premises in Tsim Sha Tsui on October 30. According to the patient, the injection was given by a doctor. Investigations are ongoing.

     “When botulinum toxin is used for cosmetic purposes, its cosmetic effects after injection are temporary and will gradually disappear. If referred to a doctor for the procedure, customers should look for his or her full name against the list of registered doctors of the Medical Council of Hong Kong as well as his or her professional qualifications and relevant experience,” a spokesman for the CHP reminded.

     Due to the weakening of associated muscles and the fact that botulinum toxin may spread and affect other areas beyond the injection site, affected patients may have drooping of the eyelids, double vision or blurred vision, problems with chewing, hoarseness or even difficulties in swallowing, speaking or breathing, which may happen in hours, days or weeks after the injection.

     The DH urged the public to observe the health advice below before receiving botulinum toxin injections:
 

• Injections should only be performed by locally registered doctors;
• Understand the procedure, potential risks and complications before receiving injections. Consult a doctor for an informed decision;
• Do not receive an injection in case of history of allergy to botulinum toxin, or infection or inflammation on the injection site;
• Request the full name of the doctor in writing if referred by a beauty service provider for the procedure, as well as the professional qualifications and relevant experience; and
• If symptoms develop, such as fever or feeling unwell, seek medical attention immediately.

     The public may visit the DH’s webpage on the differentiation between medical procedures and beauty services, the Drug Database of the Drug Office and the CHP’s botulism page for more information.​ read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 2) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection.

     The 5-year-old boy, with good past health, has presented with fever, cough, runny nose, abdominal pain and vomiting since October 27. He was admitted to St Teresa’s Hospital on October 30 and was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Kwong Wah Hospital for further management on the next day. He is now in a stable condition.
 
     His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with sepsis.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient did not receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) for the current season and had no travel history in the incubation period. His home contacts remain asymptomatic so far. The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.
 
     The Vaccination Subsidy Scheme 2018/19 and the Government Vaccination Programme 2018/19 were launched on October 10 and 24 respectively. A spokesman for the CHP urged eligible persons to receive subsidised or free SIV in a timely manner to better protect themselves in the coming winter influenza season.
 
     “Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. Given that influenza vaccines are safe and effective, all persons aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications, are recommended to receive SIV for personal protection,” the spokesman said.
 
     “Based on past epidemiological patterns, the winter influenza season usually occurs from January to March/April each year. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, we urge eligible persons to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. Vaccination among family members is key to protecting their personal and family’s health.”
 
     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
 

• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub as an effective alternative;
• Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     For more information, please visit the CHP’s influenza page and weekly Flu Express. read more

     The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, visited Wong Tai Sin this afternoon (November 2) to get an update on the district’s latest developments.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of the Wong Tai Sin District Council, Mr Li Tak-hong, and the District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Ms Annie Kong, Mr Chan visited the Choi Hung Community Centre for Senior Citizens of Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service, where he was briefed on the operation and facilities of the centre. He also chatted with the elderly to learn more about their daily life at the centre.

     Mr Chan then met with Wong Tai Sin District Council members to exchange views on housing and transport issues in the district.

     For the last part of the visit Mr Chan toured Mei Tung Estate, where he was briefed by Housing Department officers on the redevelopment programme for Mei Tung House and Mei Po House as well as the re-housing arrangements for affected tenants.

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      The spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital made the following announcement today (November 2):      Four patients (aged 24 to 69) in a femal… read more