The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by The Bank of East Asia, Limited relating to a fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, May 20, the CHP was investigating one additional confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 11 829 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 11 828 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     The newly reported case is an imported case.
 
     A total of 31 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (May 6 to 19), including five local cases of which one is from an unknown source.

     In addition, the CHP is investigating an overseas case. The case involves an 18-year-old female patient who resided in Block 1, The Belcher's, 89 Pok Fu Lam Road. She went to Shenzhen on May 5. The CHP was notified on May 19 by the Guangdong health authority that the patient had been confirmed COVID-19 positive on the same day. The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations and contact tracing.
 
     The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the list of buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and the latest local situation of COVID-19 available on the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).
 
     Meanwhile, the CHP reminded those who had visited specified venues under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to receive COVID-19 nucleic acid testing according to the Compulsory Testing Notices (CTNs). The Regulation also requires all household members of close contacts of confirmed cases to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test within a specified period according to CTNs published in the Gazette. The public are also urged to seek medical attention early if symptoms develop and undergo testing as soon as possible.
 
     The Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).
 
     The CHP called on members of the public to avoid going out, having social contact and dining out. They should put on a surgical mask and maintain stringent hand hygiene when they need to go out. The CHP strongly urged the elderly to stay home as far as possible and avoid going out. They should consider asking their family and friends to help with everyday tasks such as shopping for basic necessities.
 
     The spokesman said, "Given that the situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and that there is a continuous increase in the number of cases reported around the world, members of the public are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.
 
     "The CHP also strongly urges the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
 
     "As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps). After using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs."
 
     Moreover, the Government has launched the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for announcing the latest updates on various news on COVID-19 infection and health advice to help the public understand the latest updates. Members of the public may also gain access to information via the COVID-19 WhatsApp Helpline launched by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Simply by saving 9617 1823 in their phone contacts or clicking the link wa.me/85296171823?text=hi, they will be able to obtain information on COVID-19 as well as the "StayHomeSafe" mobile app and wristband via WhatsApp.
 
     To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infections, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
 
• 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;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• After using the toilet, put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• 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.

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (May 20) that services currently offered at the Kowloon Bay Vehicle Examination Centre (except type approval service) will be relocated to the 1/F of the TD Vehicle Examination Complex (TDVEC) from May 31, including annual inspections of hired cars, taxis, public light buses and goods vehicles exceeding 16 tonnes in gross vehicle weight. The Type Approval Section will be relocated to the 1M/F of the TDVEC on June 21.
 
     The TD reminded vehicle owners or their representatives that they should arrange for their vehicles to attend vehicle examinations at the TDVEC in accordance with the appointment dates, time slots and designated inspection lanes as indicated in the original appointment letters. Vehicle owners or their representatives are advised not to deliver their vehicles to the TDVEC for examination too early so as to avoid waiting outside the TDVEC and causing traffic congestion. In addition, if vehicle owners or their representatives leave a contact number when booking appointments, they will be reminded by phone or via SMS messages to visit the TDVEC for vehicle examinations.

     Located at 18 Sai Tso Wan Road in Tsing Yi, the TDVEC has commenced services in phases since April 1 to reprovision three government vehicle examination centres, namely the New Kowloon Bay Vehicle Examination Centre, the Kowloon Bay Vehicle Examination Centre and the To Kwa Wan Vehicle Examination Centre. The New Kowloon Bay Vehicle Examination Centre was relocated to the G/F of the TDVEC on April 1.

     To enable public light buses to travel to and from the TDVEC for vehicle examinations without permits, the TD will open designated roads for travelling to and from Tsing Yi and in the area upon commissioning of the 1/F of the TDVEC. Public light buses can only travel via the designated roads, including Tsing Tsuen Road (via the Tsing Yi North Bridge), Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, the Cheung Tsing Highway, Tsing Yi Road West and Sai Tso Wan Road for access to the TDVEC.
 
     The TD will announce the commissioning date of the second floor of the TDVEC in due course. For details of the TDVEC, please visit the TD's webpage (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_typeapp_examination/tdvec/index.html).
 
     For enquiries, please contact the relevant vehicle examination centres of the TD at the following numbers:

G/F of the TDVEC                                                 2751 8862
Kowloon Bay Vehicle Examination Centre                2759 7036/2759 7573
To Kwa Wan Vehicle Examination Centre                 2364 7211/2333 3112

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 (May 20) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach in Islands District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 20) 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.

     "The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. 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 late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; 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.

     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 toweling 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.

     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 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.