â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
      
     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
      
     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
      
     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.
      
     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
      
     The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.

     The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is inviting library patrons to take part in a series of Reader Liaison Group gatherings, which will be held from October 5 to 26. Patrons are welcome to express their views on public library services and make suggestions for the improvement of library facilities and service quality.
 
     Details of the gatherings are as follows:
 

     Interested patrons may register online at www.hkpl.gov.hk/rlg or reserve a seat by completing the reservation form available at all public libraries. Completed forms should be returned by fax to 2415 8211 or email to hotline-lib@lcsd.gov.hk. In addition, patrons are also welcome to share their views on public library services and make suggestions at the HKPL website (www.hkpl.gov.hk/rlgform), or by completing the printed feedback form available at all public libraries in Hong Kong, on or before October 31.

     For enquiries, please call 2921 0208.

     â€‹The Government today (September 30) announced the appointments to the Endangered Species Advisory Committee (ESAC) for the period from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2026.

     The ESAC was established in accordance with the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) to advise the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation on the administration of the Ordinance.

     The following members will serve in the new term:

Professor Wong Kam-bo (Chairman)
Mr Chan Chun-pang
Ms Angela Chan Nga-chi 
Dr Tommy Hui Tin-yan
Ms Rose Ko Lai-fong 
Ms Elaine Shiu Yin-ning
Dr Simon Sin Yung-wa 
Ms Cammy So On-man
Mr Stanley Wong Cho-hang
Ms Josephine Wong Lai-mei
Mr Yang Jianhuan
Mr Henry Yau Yik-chung
Ms Fanny Yeung Shuk-fun 
Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation with Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation as alternate member
Commissioner of Customs and Excise with Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Boundary and Ports) as alternate member
Principal Assistant Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Nature Conservation) with Assistant Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Nature Conservation) 2 as alternate Member
Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation (Conservation)

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department expresses its gratitude for the service and valuable contributions of the outgoing members Ms Chiang Mei-ling, Dr David Lau Tai-wai, Dr Michelle Law Man-suet, Dr Xoni Ma Kwan-ki, Dr Sung Yik-hei, and Mr Matthew Wong Yin-shun.

     The "Making Waves – Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema" (Making Waves) touring film programme is showcasing seven Hong Kong films in Lisbon, Portugal, from September 26 to 29 (Lisbon time). All films are Lisbon premieres. The film festival is sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) and supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO).
 
     The Brussels ETO hosted a reception on the opening night before the screening of "Twilight of the Warriors – Walled In" to begin the film programme on September 26 (Lisbon time), with the presence of Hong Kong director Man Lim-chung; Hong Kong actors and actresses Rachel Leung, Lo Chun-yip, Philip Ng and Angela Yuen; and about 100 guests from the local film, cultural and business sectors.
 
     The Deputy Representative of the Brussels ETO, Miss Grace Li, told the audience that Hong Kong stands as a unique East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges, and as an Asian front-runner in the global film history. 
 
     "To further enhance the development of the film industry, the Government has been investing in it through the Film Development Fund along four strategic directions, namely, nurturing talent, enhancing local production, expanding markets and building audiences," said Miss Li.
 
     She also highlighted the recently launched Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme, which subsidises film projects coproduced by filmmakers from European and Asian countries to produce films featuring Hong Kong, European and Asian cultures. The scheme aims to support Hong Kong films to expand to overseas markets.
 
     "Making Waves" is a touring film programme presented by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and financially supported by the CCIDA. The four-day programme in Lisbon is organised in collaboration with the Blue Lotus Lisbon Association to present seven Hong Kong movies to Portuguese audiences, namely "Fly Me to the Moon", "Keep Rolling", "In Broad Daylight", "The Goldfinger", "Time Still Turns the Pages", "Twilight of the Warrior: Walled In", and "Rouge".

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (September 30) appealed to members of the public to keep places clean and mind their safety while watching the National Day Fireworks Display on October 1.

     The LCSD, together with the law enforcement teams of other relevant departments, will strengthen patrols at LCSD venues where large crowds are expected.

     These venues include the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Salisbury Garden, the Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Urban Council Centenary Garden, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park, Kai Tak Sky Garden, Kwun Tong Promenade and Cha Kwo Ling Promenade along the Kowloon waterfront, as well as Tamar Park, the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section), the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade and East Coast Park (Phase 1) on the waterfront of Hong Kong Island.

     A spokesman for the LCSD urged members of the public to take their belongings with them when leaving the venues and not to leave trash behind.

     The spokesman also reminded people that the above venues will be very crowded during the fireworks display. Visitors are advised to exercise tolerance and patience, and take special care of their safety. They should pay attention to crowd management measures and take heed of police instructions, he added.