The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) today (May 30) published the biannual issue of the Medication Safety Bulletin (MSB). This issue focuses on etomidate, a drug that is commonly used in clinical practice to induce anaesthesia or to facilitate sedation. Recently, etomidate has been used illegally as a narcotic and is known as the space oil drug. Since etomidate has been up-regulated as a Dangerous Drug, healthcare professionals should comply with relevant requirements on storage, issuance, etc, and maintain regular inspection.

     The latest issue also reminds healthcare professionals that the "On Long Term Steroid Replacement Alert" has been implemented in the Clinical Management System to safeguard patients receiving long-term hydrocortisone replacement therapy. In addition, the Kowloon Central Cluster shares its experience in enhancing dispensing accuracy with the implementation of the Pick-to-light system in the General Out-patients Clinics.

     The publication has already been posted on the HA homepage for sharing with healthcare staff. Members of the public are also welcome to browse its content at the following link: www.ha.org.hk/msb. The MSB is published every six months, during the last week of May and November. The next issue will be published in November 2025.

     â€‹The Town Planning Board today (May 30) announced an amendment to the draft Man Kam To Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     The amendment mainly involves the rezoning of three land parcels at Sandy Ridge from "Other Specified Uses" ("OU") annotated "Cemetery, Columbarium, Crematorium and Funeral Related Uses" to "OU" annotated "Innovation and Technology" for data centres and related purposes.

     The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to take into account the above amendment. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning scheme area, where appropriate.

     The draft Man Kam To OZP No. S/NE-MKT/6, incorporating the amendment, is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office, (iv) the North District Office, and (v) the Ta Kwu Ling District Rural Committee.

     Any person may make written representations in respect of the amendment to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before July 30. Any person who intends to make a representation is advised to read the Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 29C on “Submission and Processing of Representations and Further Representations” (TPB PG-No. 29C).

     Submission of a representation should comply with the requirements set out in TPB PG-No. 29C. In particular, the representer should take note of the following:

* If the representer fails to provide his or her full name and the first four alphanumeric characters of his or her Hong Kong identity card or passport number as required under TPB PG-No. 29C, the representation submitted shall be treated as not having been made; and

* The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.

     The Guidelines and the submission form are available at the above locations (i) and (ii) as well as the Town Planning Board's website (www.tpb.gov.hk).

     Copies of the draft Man Kam To OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centre in North Point. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed at the Town Planning Board's website (www.tpb.gov.hk).

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 30) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
 
     Twenty-three beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 14 as Fair (Grade 2) and three as Poor (Grade 3).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:          

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

 
Grade 3 beaches are:

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Butterfly Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Pui O Beach, Tong Fuk Beach and Upper Cheung Sha Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2, and Casam Beach and Silverstrand Beach from Grade 2 to Grade 3.
 
     "The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.
 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), 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, the 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 tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
 
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.  Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the EPD's dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast).
 
Note 1: Lifesaving services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 22 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from April 1. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's Special Announcement (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index.html).
 
Note 2: This refers to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach which has no lifesaving service.

     The Government announced today (May 30) that the Secretary for Environment and Ecology has appointed the new term of membership of the Advisory Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries (ACAF). The appointments are for a term of two years from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2027.

     The ACAF is a non-statutory body that advises the Government on matters pertaining to the sustainable development of agriculture and fisheries in Hong Kong.

     "We believe the ACAF will continue to provide the Government with constructive views on the promotion of the sustainable development of the agriculture and fisheries sector, so that the sector would continue to bring socio-economic benefits to Hong Kong," a spokesman of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.

     The new term of membership of the ACAF is as follows:

Chairman
Mr Anthony Lam Sai-ho

Members
Ms Cheuk Fung-ting
Ms Katie Chick Hiu-lai
Mr Chu Kam-ming
Mr Chung Ka-yau
Mr Fung Kin-chung
Ms Tendy Lam Pui-tung
Mr John Lau Hon-kit
Ms Lau Kam-fung
Dr Lau Kin-wai
Mr Noah Law Yiu-wing
Ms Lee Man-sa
Mr Leung Ming-kin
Mr Ling Man-sum
Mr James Ling Wai-hon
Ms Merlinda Ng Man-ling
Mr Poon Cheuk-man
Dr Yan Wa-tat
Professor Yen Hui-ling
Legislative Council Member representing the Agriculture and Fisheries Constituency (Ex-officio Member)
Representative of the Environment and Ecology Bureau
Representative of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

     The Government announced today (May 30) the introduction of a new channel under the General Employment Policy (GEP) and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) from June 30 to allow outside individuals to apply for entry into Hong Kong to join eight skilled trades facing acute manpower shortage. Applicants are required to be non-degree professionals meeting the relevant qualifications as specified in the Technical Professional List and aged between 18 and 40. This new arrangement will be piloted for three years with an overall quota of 10 000, and the quota for each skilled trade is limited to 3 000.
 
     The Technical Professional List covers eight specified skilled trades, namely new industrialisation technicians, nurses, aircraft maintenance technicians, marine services technicians (for local vessels), information technology technicians, lift/escalator technicians, building information modeling coordinators and electrical technicians. Applicants are to meet the requirements on qualifications, work experience, professional skills (e.g. registration or license to practice), etc, of the specific skilled trade as listed on the List. In addition, according to the prevailing requirements under the GEP and the ASMTP, the relevant professionals are required to have secured an employment offer from a local enterprise before application, and the remuneration package should be commensurate with the market level for similar jobs.
 
     Depending on the skilled trade and the applicant's qualifications, the first entry visa will be valid for 24 or 36 months. When applying for visa renewal, a technical professional must continue to be employed in the same skilled trade in Hong Kong. If his/her visa renewal application is approved, an extension of stay of not more than 36 months, or in accordance with the validity period of his/her employment contract (whichever is shorter), may be granted.
 
     A Government spokesperson said, "According to the 2023 Manpower Projection published last year, Hong Kong is expected to face an overall manpower shortage of 180 000 by 2028, over one-third of which will be skilled technical workers. As such, the 2024 Policy Address announced that a new channel would be introduced to attract young and experienced non-degree professionals to join skilled trades facing acute manpower shortage. The Technical Professional List was compiled by relevant bureaux and departments after careful consideration and in consultation with stakeholders of various industries and sectors. The eight skilled trades identified are all critical to sustaining Hong Kong's city operation, facing acute manpower shortage at least in the next five years, and in need of manpower that cannot be replenished by local training in good time."
 
     "The new channel targets mid-level qualified and experienced non-degree technical professionals of specified trades and attracts them to settle in Hong Kong in the long run. This is distinct from and does not overlap with the existing Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme and sector-specific labour importation schemes. The new arrangement will be on a pilot basis for three years, subject to a review after the first year. Meanwhile, the Government will continue its commitment to training for local workers," the spokesman added.
 
     Under the employment-tied GEP and the ASMTP, employers may apply to employ outside talent, normally with a bachelor's degree or higher qualifications, to fill job vacancies that could not be readily taken up by locals. For vacancies falling under the professions in the Talent List, the enterprises are not required to conduct a market availability test to prove difficulties in local recruitment before making applications. Employers submitting applications in future through the new technical professional stream under the two schemes will also enjoy such exemption from conducting a market availability test.
 
     Details of the skilled trades of the Technical Professional List, the respective description of tasks and qualification requirements have been uploaded to the website of the Immigration Department (ImmD) (www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/TPStream.html), as well as the website of Hong Kong Talent Engage (www.hkengage.gov.hk). Enquiries can be made to the ImmD through its hotline (2824 6111), by fax (2877 7711) or by email (enquiry@immd.gov.hk).