Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 1) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Hap Mun Bay Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.
​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.
Police today (July 1) laid a holding charge against a 32-year-old woman with one count of murder.
The woman was arrested yesterday (June 30) in suspected connection with a murder case happened in Tseung Kwan O on June 29, in which a 30-year-old man died.
The case will be mentioned at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (July 2) morning.
​ The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (July 1) warmly welcomes and expresses gratitude to the country for announcing that non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents will soon be eligible for a card-type document (Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens)) to enhance convenience of clearance at control points of the Mainland, facilitating their visit to the Mainland for business, travelling, and visiting relatives. The Exit and Entry Administration of the country will start issuing the card on July 10.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, "At this important moment when Hong Kong residents celebrate together our return to the motherland, I am grateful for the Central Government for introducing the measure in support of Hong Kong again, which demonstrates our country's care and support for the HKSAR all along. Under the new measure, individuals holding the card will be able to enjoy self-service clearance at control points of the Mainland, significantly enhancing clearance efficiency.
"Many non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents have deep roots in Hong Kong. They have been working diligently and making significant contributions to the development of Hong Kong. Among them, foreign talent working in Hong Kong are particularly keen to better seize the historic opportunities of our country's rapid developments, especially envisioning greater involvement in the building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) as a world-class bay area. We firmly believe that international talent of Hong Kong companies can enjoy the long-awaited clearance convenience for northbound travel with this card. This measure is not limited to any nationality or industry, which fully highlights Hong Kong's unique status under 'one country, two systems' and greatly helps Hong Kong maintain its international character and diversity, thereby providing a significant incentive for companies and talent from around the world to settle in Hong Kong," he said.
Under the new measure, all non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents will be able to make applications to the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited entrusted by the Exit and Entry Administration of the country for travelling to the Mainland multiple times within a five-year validity period (with a stay not exceeding 90 days for each visit), without the need to apply for a separate visa to enter the Mainland. The application, approval, and issuance of this card fall within the remit of the Mainland authorities. This facilitation arrangement complements the "northbound" multiple-entry visa initiative as announced by the Chief Executive in the 2023 Policy Address, meeting the aspirations of various sectors of the Hong Kong community on all fronts.
To dovetail with the country's efforts in building a high-level talent hub, the HKSAR Government has been maintaining close communication with the Mainland authorities, striving to promote the "southbound and northbound" two-way flow of talent, and has received positive responses from the Mainland. Since early 2023, the Mainland has successively introduced measures to promote the "southbound and northbound" flow, including launching and expanding the GBA “southbound” exit endorsement for talent to Beijing and Shanghai, extending the duration of stay in Hong Kong of the exit endorsement for business visit from seven days to 14 days, and introducing the "northbound" multiple-entry visa. These measures have greatly facilitated the two-way flow of talent. The HKSAR will certainly make good use of these measures, proactively playing the special role and carrying out the mission endowed by "one country, two systems", telling the good stories of Hong Kong, and making even greater contributions to the development of the country.
Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 1) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.