The Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) today (April 28) reminded members of the public that they may search for rateable values effective from April 1 this year on the Valuation List and the Government Rent Roll on the department's website (www.rvd.gov.hk) or its Property Information Online website (www.rvdpi.gov.hk) by May 31.

     Proposals to alter the new rateable value of properties must be served to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation by May 31 and should be made on the specified form (R20A) and be delivered by post or in person. Copies of the form can be obtained from the department at 15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department. The form can also be downloaded from the RVD's website (www.rvd.gov.hk).

     The public can also lodge proposals on an electronic form (e-R20A) using the Electronic Submission of Forms service provided on the department's website. Proposals sent by fax are not acceptable.

     An RVD spokesman emphasised that under the Rating Ordinance and the Government Rent (Assessment and Collection) Ordinance, proposals served after May 31 would not be accepted.

     "Notwithstanding the lodging of a proposal, rates and rent payers must pay rates and government rent by the last day for payment shown on the demand notes. We will carefully consider all proposals and inform the proposers of our decisions before December 1. Any changes in rates and government rent payable resulting from such decisions will date back to April 1 this year and any overpayment will be adjusted in subsequent demands," he said.

     For enquiries, please call 2152 0111 (handled by 1823).

     The Labour Department (LD) will hold a public talk entitled "Manual Handling Operations and Prevention of Back Injuries" on May 4 (Wednesday) at 6.30pm. The talk will give a brief account of the structure and functions of the back, causes and preventive measures of back injuries, and proper manual handling operations. Demonstrations and practice of workplace exercises will be included.

     The LD will hold another talk, entitled "Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work in a Hot Environment", on May 11 (Wednesday) at 3.30pm. The talk, designed for workers working in hot environments to raise their awareness of heat stroke prevention, will cover symptoms of heat stroke, its first aid treatment and preventive measures.

     Both talks will be given by the LD's occupational health nurse and occupational hygienist in Cantonese at the Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay. Admission is free but pre-registration is required. Interested participants can register online (www.oshsreg.gov.hk). On-site registration is not available. Infection control measures taking into account the latest epidemic developments will be adopted at the venue. For enquiries, please call 2852 4040.

     A fire broke out at 3 Hoi Kok Street in Tsuen Wan at 6.38am today (April 28). The fire was upgraded to No. 3 alarm at 6.50am. The fire was surrounded at 9.43am, put under control at 10.32am and largely put out at 10.50am.
 
     Firemen used four jets and mobilised three breathing apparatus teams to fight the blaze.
 
     Two persons were injured and were sent to Yan Chai Hospital for treatment.
 
 

     A Government spokesman announced today (April 28) that the supply of fresh food from the Mainland yesterday (April 27) was sufficient and stable.
          
     According to the latest information, the quantity of vegetables supplied from the Mainland to Hong Kong yesterday (as of midnight) by land and water transportation was over 2 500 tonnes, comparable to the average daily supply from the Mainland on a normal day. The volume of vegetables supplied from the Mainland to Hong Kong sold through the wholesale markets of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Vegetable Marketing Organization was about 861 tonnes. The average wholesale prices of choi sum and pak choi stood at $6.50 and $4.90 per catty respectively yesterday, largely comparable to the levels of a normal day. The supply of eggs to the wholesale market remained steady, with the average daily supply standing at about 3.5 million for the past week, largely comparable to the average daily supply on a normal day last year.

     The total supply of chilled meat from the Mainland yesterday was about 37 tonnes. The supply of live pigs was plentiful.

     The supply of chilled poultry from the Mainland was about 140 000 head yesterday, and about 14 000 live chickens were slaughtered locally. The supply was abundant.

     Regarding the rice supply, in compliance with the requirement by the Government, stockholders of rice have to maintain the reserve stock of rice at a level sufficient for consumption by the local population for 15 days. The trade generally stocks double the required amount, which is sufficient for one month's consumption by Hong Kong citizens. In recent years, the import and consumption of rice in Hong Kong has stood at a steady level of around 320 000 to 330 000 tonnes per year. The import quantity (including reserve stock) as of end-March 2022 was 27 300 tonnes. Suppliers also maintain a reserve for food that can be stored, such as frozen meat, for around three months' stock generally.

     The Government will continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland authorities and major food suppliers to ensure a stable food supply.

     â€‹The AFCD updates and publishes the fresh food supply information daily. Members of the public may visit the AFCD website for updates on daily supplies and wholesale prices of fresh food (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/agriculture/agr_fresh/agr_fresh.html).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority closely monitors the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.