Correctional officers at Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre stopped a male remand person in custody attacking staff today (May 24). 

     At 9.13am today, a 42-year-old male remand person in custody suddenly became emotional and attacked a correctional officer with his hands inside the cell. Officers at the scene immediately stopped the assailant.  

     During the incident, both the officer being attacked and the assailant did not sustain any injury. 

     The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.  

     The assailant was remanded in Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre for the offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. 

     Police today (May 24) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Sham Shui Po.

     Yan Kar-yue, aged 78, went missing after he left his residence at Lai Kok Estate on May 21 morning. His family made a report to Police on May 22.

     He is about 1.5 metres tall, 55 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a square face with yellow complexion and short white hair. He was last seen wearing a grey shirt, black trousers and black sports shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8038 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 24) investigating an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) at a kindergarten-cum-child care centre in Wong Tai Sin, and appeals to members of the public and staff of institutions to stay alert and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene.
 
     The outbreak involves 13 boys and eight girls aged 2 to 6. They developed cough, runny nose and fever since May 7. Seventeen of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All of them are now in a stable condition.
 
     Officers of the CHP have advised the school to adopt necessary infection control measures against respiratory infections. The school has been put under medical surveillance. In addition, since the symptoms of URTI are similar to those of COVID-19, for prudence's sake, the school was covered in the compulsory testing notice (CTN) on May 7 to exclude the possibility of COVID-19 infection. The school was required to suspend teaching activities for at least five days for cleaning and executing the CTN.
 
     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses and note the following:
 
• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the nose and mouth with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.
 
     Members of the public, particularly children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases, should wear a face mask and consult a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced today (May 24) the feasibility study results of the redevelopment of the HA's factory estates and the clearance arrangements for the affected tenants.
 
     The HA has six factory estates, namely, Yip On Factory Estate in Kowloon Bay, Sui Fai Factory Estate in Fo Tan, Wang Cheong Factory Estate in Cheung Sha Wan, Kwai On and Chun Shing Factory Estates in Kwai Chung, and Hoi Tai Factory Estate in Tuen Mun.
 
     In the 2019 Policy Address, the Chief Executive invited the HA to explore the feasibility of redeveloping its factory estates for public housing use. The HA has completed the relevant study which concluded that four sites were technically feasible for housing development.
 
     "Based on our initial assessment, three of the sites, at Yip On, Sui Fai and Wang Cheong Factory Estates, are capable of producing a total of some 4 200 units in 2031. We will proceed with the rezoning process of these sites for residential purpose. The fourth site, the Kwai On Factory Estate, can produce some 600 units. However, since the draft Kwai Chung outline zoning plans are now subject to judicial review, rezoning will be initiated upon resolution of the judicial review cases pertinent to the draft Kwai Chung outline zoning plans," a spokesman for the HA said.
  
     "Due to the substantial noise, air quality and odour issues, and on which no effective mitigation measures can be adopted for the time being, the remaining two sites, i.e. Hoi Tai and Chun Shing Factory Estates, are considered not feasible for housing development unless there are significant improvements in the environment of the nearby areas in future."              
 
     At its meeting on April 23, the HA's Strategic Planning Committee endorsed the results of the study and agreed to proceed with the clearance of the tenants of the four factory estates at Yip On, Sui Fai, Wang Cheong and Kwai On Factory Estates and thereafter demolition of the buildings while the rezoning exercise of the sites is in progress. Such arrangement will enable the HA to shorten the redevelopment programme; advance flat production to meet the keen demand for public housing.  
 
     At the HA's Commercial Properties Committee meeting today, members approved the clearance package of the above four factory estates. The package has taken into account previous practices and current circumstances. Major arrangements are as follows:
 
(1) to give affected tenants/licensees an 18-month notice to vacate their premises;
 
(2) to pay an ex-gratia allowance to affected tenants/licensees at 15 months' rent/licence fee, exclusive of rates, based on the rent/licence fee as specified under the tenancy/licence as at the date of announcement of clearance (May 24, 2021);
 
(3) to arrange restricted tenders for affected tenants/licensees to bid for vacant factory units in Chun Shing and Hoi Tai Factory Estates provided that the size of units that they bid on will not exceed the size of their existing premises;
 
(4) to grant a three-month rent-free period to affected tenants/licensees who successfully lease vacant factory units in Chun Shing and Hoi Tai Factory Estates;
 
(5) to pay a cash sum of $25,400 per standard unit to tenants/licensees who do not lease units in Chun Shing and Hoi Tai Factory Estates;
 
(6) to offer an additional cash sum of $100,000 per tenancy/licence to affected tenants/licensees if they vacate their premises within nine months from the date of announcement of clearance and do not lease units in Chun Shing and Hoi Tai Factory Estates;
 
(7) to freeze rent increase from the date of announcement of clearance. For affected tenancies due for renewal after the date of announcement, to grant monthly licences to tenants upon expiry of the tenancy at re-assessed licence fees not exceeding the rents payable under the existing tenancies;
 
(8) for licences granted during the rent concession period, to allow the licensees to continue occupying the premises under monthly licences at re-assessed licence fees not exceeding that payable under the existing licences, with the re-assessed licence fee taking effect from June 1, 2021; and
 
(9) for the shop tenant in Yip On Factory Estate, to pay an ex-gratia allowance at 15 months' exclusive rent specified in the tenancy agreement as at the date of announcement of clearance; to offer a restricted tender opportunity to lease shopstalls in the HA's markets with a three-month rent free period or a lump sum payment of $137,000 in lieu of a restricted tender opportunity.
 
     As at March 31, 2021, there were 903 tenancies and 1 185 licences for factory units, and one tenancy of a shop unit in Yip On, Sui Fai, Wang Cheong and Kwai On Factory Estates. The HA will individually notify affected tenants of the details of the clearance arrangements. 
 

     The Labour Department (LD) today (May 24) reminded foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) to comply with the compulsory testing notice (CTN) to undergo COVID-19 testing for a second time on or before May 30 (Sunday), and encouraged FDHs to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect their own health and the health of their employers' families and others.
 
     An LD spokesman said, "In accordance with the CTN issued by the Government earlier, all FDHs working in Hong Kong have to undergo compulsory testing for a second time during the period from May 15 to May 30. As in the previous round of compulsory testing, FDHs who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine for 14 days are exempted from undergoing the test."
 
     The spokesman continued, "From May 15 to May 22, more than 180 000 FDHs have submitted specimens at community testing centres (CTCs) and mobile specimen collection stations or returned their deep throat saliva specimens. Close to 50 000 bookings at CTCs have been made for FDHs, and more than 240 000 quotas are still available from May 24 to May 30 for all members of the public. The LD reminds FDHs who have yet to receive testing to make use of the service provided at CTCs and mobile specimen collection stations in the coming few days to undergo the test as soon as possible. The LD calls on employers to arrange for FDHs to undergo testing at CTCs on weekdays as far as possible and make bookings in advance, to prevent FDHs from gathering and queuing for testing on Saturdays and Sundays. Details can be found in the Food and Health Bureau's press release of May 23
(www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202105/23/P2021052300816.htm)."
 
     The Government will seriously verify whether relevant persons have complied with the CTN. Any relevant person who fails to comply with CTN commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the order is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months. The Government reminds FDHs to keep the SMS notification containing the test result for checking by law enforcement officers. As for exempted FDHs, they can download their electronic vaccination records or save the printouts of their vaccination records on their mobile phones, or bring along the printouts or copies of their vaccination records, so as to prove their eligibility for exemption to law enforcement officers.
 
     In view of the threat posed by a mutant strain, it is imperative for the public to get vaccinated as soon as possible. While there is still a shortage in the global supply of COVID-19 vaccines, the two vaccines procured by the Government are sufficient for all Hong Kong people (including FDHs) to get vaccinated. At present, there are still plenty of unutilised quotas every day in the 29 community vaccination centres and over 1 000 private clinics. The Government appeals to all FDHs to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect their own health and the health of their employers' families and others.
 
     The Government thanks FDHs and employers for their understanding and co-operation with the anti-epidemic measures.