The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 17) that in view of notifications from the General Veterinary Inspectorate of Poland and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) respectively about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in Pleszewski District of Wielkopolskie Region in Poland and Ortenaukreis District in State of Baden-Württemberg in Germany, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 2 920 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 12.06 million poultry eggs from Poland, and about 180 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 0.53 million poultry eggs from Germany in the first three months of this year.

     "The CFS has contacted the Polish and German authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

     Police today (May 17) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Kwun Tong.

     Kwan Chi-wai, aged 62, went missing after he left his residence on Yuet Wah Street on May 15 morning. His family made a report to Police on the next day (May 16).

     He is about 1.6 metres tall, 50 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short brown and white hair. He was last seen wearing a blue and white striped T-shirt, black trousers and red 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 East on 3661 0321 or 9020 2746 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     A total lunar eclipse, during which the moon will take on an uncommon coppery-red hue, will be visible in Hong Kong on May 26 (Wednesday). The lunar eclipse is best observed at places with an unobstructed view in the east-southeast direction if weather permits. The Hong Kong Space Museum will live stream the lunar eclipse during 7pm to 9pm that evening.
 
     The eclipse will have already begun when the moon rises in the east at 6.56pm that evening. The total eclipse phase will kick in at 7.11pm when the moon enters the Earth's shadow completely, which will last for about 15 minutes. As the moon will be quite low, which is just about two to five degrees above the southeastern horizon at the time of the total lunar eclipse, the Museum recommends a site with an unobstructed view to the east-southeast for observation.
 
     The Museum will live stream the total lunar eclipse via its YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/hkspacem). Curators will share interesting tidbits related to lunar eclipses, including the "super moon", and the fascinating science behind the moon, the Earth's sole natural satellite. The public is also encouraged to visit the Edutainment Channel of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (www.lcsd.gov.hk/edutainment/en/academy/page_74.html), "LCSD Plusss" Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LCSDPlusss) and the Museum's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hkspacem) to observe the lunar eclipse in parallel.
 
     A lunar eclipse is one of the most easily observable astronomical events. It occurs only during the full moon, around the fifteenth day of a lunar month when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon in space. However, a lunar eclipse is not visible at every full moon because the paths of the sun and the moon do not lie on the same plane. It is only when the sun, the Earth and the moon are aligned in such a way that the Earth's shadow falls on the moon can a lunar eclipse come about. When sunlight passes through the Earth's atmosphere, its blue component is scattered away. The remaining red component is eventually refracted to the lunar surface. Therefore, the moon always assumes a remarkable red tint at the time of a lunar eclipse.

     During observation of an astronomical event, please comply with the latest anti-epidemic measures, maintain social distancing and stay vigilant with regards to personal hygiene. Details of the lunar eclipse are available at the website (hk.space.museum/en_US/web/spm/exhibition/specialexhibition/2021-astronomical-events.html) and the current issue of the Museum's newsletter (hk.space.museum/documents/2178963/2179286/Newsletter2021_02r.pdf). In addition, the Museum has made a simulation video of the total lunar eclipse. For details, please visit youtu.be/adtSsRtXS1o.

     The 2021-22 Hong Kong Awards for Industries (HKAI) is open for entries from today (May 17). Hong Kong companies in the manufacturing and services sectors are invited to join. The closing date is August 6.

     Supported by the Government, the HKAI aims to recognise the outstanding achievements of Hong Kong enterprises in pursuit of high technology and high value-added activities, and to commend excellence in various aspects of their performance. The HKAI also helps to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong industries and promote Hong Kong brands. 

     The 2021-22 HKAI comprises six categories, each run by an Organiser:
 

     Adjudication in each award category will be carried out by a preliminary judging panel arranged by the relevant Organiser. A final judging panel will be convened to decide the winners. One grand award will be presented to the most outstanding entry in each category. Other deserving entries will be presented with an award or a certificate of merit. All award winners are entitled to display the official logo of the HKAI and receive the HKAI trophy or certificate as a permanent memento of their achievement.

     The awards presentation ceremony will be held in March 2022 at the Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Science Park.

     Entry forms and brochures are now available from the respective Organisers. They can also be downloaded from the HKAI website at www.hkindustryaward.org.

     The HKAI was launched in 2005 by merging the former Hong Kong Awards for Industry and the former Hong Kong Awards for Services, established in 1989 and 1997 respectively. Over the years, the HKAI has recognised and commended the excellent performance of about 1,160 companies.

     For further information, please visit the HKAI website at www.hkindustryaward.org or contact the respective Organisers (see contact details on the website) or the Secretariat of the Organising Committee of the HKAI at hkai@tid.gov.hk.

      The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, May 17, the CHP was investigating one additional confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 11 826 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 11 825 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     The newly reported case is an imported case.
 
     A total of 40 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (May 3 to 16), including eight local cases of which one is from an unknown source.
 
     Subsequent to the announcement by the CHP on the updated quarantine arrangements of local COVID-19 cases with the N501Y mutant strain, the CHP reminded that persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases and had been released from the quarantine centres will be subject to compulsory testing on days 3, 7, 12 and 19 following the announcement of the relevant confirmed cases by the DH. A Compulsory Testing Notice (CTN) was issued on May 7 (www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125124e/egn202125124278.pdf). They will also be required to undergo self-monitoring until the 21st day.

     Specified persons in relation to the following specified premises are reminded to undergo compulsory testing in accordance with the CTN tomorrow:
–  Tower 11, Carmel Cove, Caribbean Coast, 1 Kin Tung Road, Tung Chung;
–  Fung Hing House, Hing Wah (II) Estate, 18 Wan Tsui Road, Chai Wan; and
–  37-39 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon.

     Members of the public can check the deadlines of compulsory testing for respective specified premises as stipulated in the aforementioned CTN on the Government's website (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf).

     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 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.