Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 30) 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.

     “Children, the elderly, the obese and those with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, are more vulnerable to heat stroke. 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 can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

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

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed 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, sweating or towelling off; 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.

     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH’s Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO’s Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report 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 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

     A spokesman for the Buildings Department (BD) said on May 29 that the department is highly concerned about the incident concerning suspected removal of part of a structural wall in a unit at The Capitol, Lohas Park. The BD has deployed its staff for a site inspection and has issued a statutory order to the concerned owner under the Buildings Ordinance (BO). The BD has commenced a full investigation on any contravention under the BO, and will, depending on the investigation result, take appropriate punitive action under the BO (including instigating prosecution). 

     Staff of the BD has conducted an inspection at the concerned unit, together with the owner, the interior designer responsible for the renovation of the concerned unit, and staff of the property management company. Certain contraventions were found during the inspection, including removal of part of a 200mm thick structural wall (about 720mm wide by 2150mm high) between the living room and the bedroom for installation of a new door. After inspecting the units above and below the concerned unit by BD officers, no danger to the overall building structure was noted. The concerned owner informed the department that a contractor has been arranged to install temporary supports at the new door opening.

     The BD has issued a statutory order to the concerned owner under the BO, including requiring the concerned owner to appoint an Authorized Person (AP) to submit a remedial proposal (including an assessment of the overall effect on the structure of the concerned building due to the alteration works and plans of proposed remedial works, and to obtain approval and consent from the BD before the commencement of such remedial works to reinstate the parts of the building so affected in accordance with the approved plans. The BD will continue to follow up the case seriously to ensure due compliance with the statutory order.

     According to the provisions of the BO, any person who wants to carry out building works (including alterations and additions (A&A) works) in private buildings, except works that are exempted in accordance with section 41(3) of the BO or minor works that may be carried out under the simplified procedures of the Minor Works Control System, should appoint an AP to submit plans to the BD for approval and obtain consent from the department in accordance with section 14 of the BO, before commencing such works. The removal of part of the structural wall in this incident is neither exempted building works nor minor works. Such works involving structural wall without the approval of the BD will be regarded as unauthorised building works (UBWs).

     The BD spokesman stressed that it is the responsibility of owners to keep their buildings free of UBWs and shall not carry out any UBWs. Any person who intends to carry out A&A works is advised to consult building professionals for advice, including feasibility of the works, and where necessary, apply for approval and consent from the BD to ensure building safety and compliance with the BO. Building professionals and contractors are also required to carefully examine the approved plans and other relevant documents, to observe the relevant requirements under the BO, and to ascertain whether prior approval from the BD should be obtained before commencement of the works to ensure safety of occupants and structural safety of the building.

     According to the BO, it is a serious offence to carry out any building works without prior approval. Any person, if convicted, is liable to a maximum fine of $400,000 and two years’ imprisonment. Any person who carries out such works in such manner that it causes or is likely to cause a risk of injury to any person or damage to any property shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $1,000,000 and imprisonment for three years.

     Any person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with a statutory order served on him shall be liable on conviction to a fine of $200,000 and, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence has continued. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:         The spokesman for Tung Wah Eastern Hospital (TWEH) made the following announcement today (May 29) regarding a hospital facility safety incident: … read more

     The Government announced today (May 29) the details of the 2023 Consumption Voucher Scheme Second Instalment.

Existing registrants

     Eligible existing registrants were issued with the first instalment voucher on April 16 this year. They will be disbursed with the second instalment vouchers from July 16. Hong Kong permanent residents and new arrivals will be disbursed with $2,000 vouchers, while eligible persons who have come to live in Hong Kong through different admission schemes or to study in Hong Kong will be disbursed with vouchers of half value, i.e. $1,000.

     Existing registrants can change the stored value facility account for receiving the second instalment vouchers. Existing registrants who do not want to change the stored value facility account for receiving the second instalment vouchers and other existing registration records are not required to go through any procedure. The Government will make use of their existing registration records to conduct eligibility checking and notify them of the result through SMS notification in early July. If they want to change the stored value facility account, they may refer to the details set out below.

New registrants

     New eligible persons and eligible persons who have not registered before will be disbursed with two separate vouchers starting from July 16 and October 16 this year after they have registered. Eligible Hong Kong permanent residents and new arrivals will be disbursed with a total value of $5,000 in vouchers, while eligible persons who have come to live in Hong Kong through different admission schemes or to study in Hong Kong will be disbursed with vouchers of half value, i.e. $2,500.

     New eligible persons refer to those aged 18 on or before today (May 29) and fulfil the other relevant eligibility criteria. Details of the eligibility criteria and the total amount of vouchers to be disbursed are set out in Annex I.  

Arrangements for new registration or changing stored value facility account

     New registrants and those existing registrants who want to change the stored value facility account or other registration records should complete the relevant procedures through the electronic registration portal in the Scheme website (www.consumptionvoucher.gov.hk) or in person at any of the temporary service centres (nine in total) during the registration period from June 5 (Monday) to June 27 (Tuesday). They will receive the relevant results through SMS notifications after about one to two weeks. The addresses and opening hours of the service centres are in Annex II. People may call the hotline 18 5000 to make appointments.

Consumption voucher disbursement timetable

     The arrangement for collecting vouchers through different stored value facilities and the coverage of consumption vouchers are the same as the first instalment. The voucher disbursement timetable of AlipayHK, BoC Pay, PayMe from HSBC, Tap & Go and WeChat Pay HK is in Annex III. The schedule for disbursement of vouchers via Octopus is in Annex IV.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, “To consolidate the economic recovery expeditiously, the Government disbursed the first instalment vouchers to about 6.4 million eligible persons in April this year and the process went smoothly. Hong Kong’s retail and catering sectors have exhibited an encouraging recovering trend in the first four months this year and the consumption sentiment has greatly improved. The disbursement of the second instalment vouchers will inject about $13 billion of purchasing power into the market. In tandem with the series of events launched under the ‘Happy Hong Kong’ campaign and the spending season in the summer holidays, I believe it will accelerate the economic recovery. Let’s spend happily and boost the economy together.” read more