Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 20) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     “The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system,” the spokesman explained.

     “The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention,” the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable, and start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index remains high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear loose long-sleeved clothing made of close-woven fabrics;
• Wear a wide brim hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming or sweating; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may get more information from the DH’s Health Education Hotline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO’s Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. read more

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:      Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:    … read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.      To prevent heat stroke, avoid pro… read more

     The outreach performance “A Tale of Two Circles” and a sharing session (in Cantonese) of the Community Oral History Theatre Project – Central and Western District will be held at 3pm on July 21 (Saturday) at JC Cube in Tai Kwun. Free tickets with free seating will be distributed from tomorrow (June 21) on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
     The Central and Western districts are two important locations on Hong Kong Island, combining the best of East and West. Old Central, characterised by its European influence, was the heart of politics and economic affairs, while old Western district, primarily settled by Chinese people, was a trade port for food products.
 
     More than 20 elderly participants will take part in the show to re-enact their own precious stories. Some of them worked diligently in Central to earn a living; some strived to support their children’s schooling, hoping they would become professionals in Central; and some were trained to become craftsmen and set up small businesses in the Western district.
 
     The performance has Ko Tin-lung as the artistic director and Issac Siu as the scriptwriter, director and drama tutor. Free tickets will be distributed from tomorrow (a maximum of two tickets per person) at the following locations:
 
* Nga Yin Association Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council (1/F, Lung Cheung Garden, 26 Praya, Kennedy Town); and
* Enquiry Counter, Hong Kong City Hall Low Block (5 Edinburgh Place, Central).
 
     The Community Oral History Theatre Project – Central and Western District co-organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), Chung Ying Theatre Company and the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council was launched in 2017. Through a series of workshops, the project has gathered the personal experiences and valuable recollections of the elderly from Central and Western District. Scripts have been written with the oral information collected, providing an opportunity for the elderly to tell their stories onstage.
 
     Tai Kwun is located at 10 Hollywood Road, Central. For programme enquiries, please call 2591 1300 (LCSD), 8106 8336 (Chung Ying Theatre Company) or 2819 8727 (Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council), or visit
www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/ab/en/OH_central_western_phase4.php.

read more

     The Tobacco Control Office (TCO) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 20) reminded the trade and the public that the packets or retail containers of all tobacco products for sale in Hong Kong should only carry the new form of health warnings as set out in the Smoking (Public Health) (Prescribed Information) Order from tomorrow (June 21).

     Taking into account the recommendations of the World Health Organization and overseas experience, the Government amended the legal requirements of the health warnings on packets or retail containers of tobacco products in 2017. Major changes include:

(1) The area of the graphic health warning is required to increase from 50 per cent to at least 85 per cent of two largest surfaces of the packet and of the retail container;
(2) increasing the number of forms of health warning from six to 12; and
(3) incorporating new health warning messages and the smoking cessation hotline number on packets or retail containers of tobacco products.

     The Order came into operation on December 21, 2017, with a transitional period of six months, which ends today.

     To assist the trade to understand the requirements and comply with the Order, the TCO has prepared and distributed a set of guidelines and a DVD with graphical files of the health warnings to the trade. In addition, the TCO issued letters in December 2017, March 2018 and May 2018 to remind stakeholders including retailers regarding the new requirements. The Government will monitor the implementation of the new health warning requirements of tobacco products in the market.

     The DH appeals to smokers to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. Smokers who intend to quit smoking can call the DH’s Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183. The hotline is operated by registered nurses, providing professional counselling services on smoking cessation. Cases will be referred to suitable community smoking cessation service providers for follow-up when necessary. read more