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 Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited relating to fraudulent websites and phishing instant messages, 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 websites 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 Department of Health (DH) today (May 6) appealed to the public not to buy or consume unlabelled slimming products that may contain controlled medicine ingredients and might be dangerous to health.     

     Acting upon intelligence, it was found that someone was offering for sale via a social media platform an unlabelled slimming product and claiming the product to be "Fat burning pills". Samples of the product were obtained for analysis and the Government Laboratory's results confirmed that the samples contained sibutramine, a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138). The DH's investigation is continuing. 

     Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of increased cardiovascular risk. 

     According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment. 

     The DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from unknown sources. Members of the public who have purchased the above product should stop consuming it immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption. 

     The spokesman added that weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control. They may visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for "Health message on overweight problem and slimming products" and "Information on slimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients" for more information.    

     The public may submit the product to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1801, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.

  

     Police today (May 6) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Sha Tin.

     Ko Chun-ho, aged 22, went missing after he was last seen at a shopping centre on Centre Street on May 4 night. His family member made a report to Police the next day (May 5).

     He is about 1.7 metres tall, 79 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and black short hair. He was last seen wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, black trousers, black sports shoes and carrying a black rucksack.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176, 9320 5612 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
 

  

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest provisional figures on restaurant receipts and purchases today (May 6).

     The value of total receipts of the restaurants sector in the first quarter of 2021, provisionally estimated at $19.7 billion, decreased by 8.8% over a year earlier. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases by restaurants decreased by 8.0% to $6.4 billion.

     After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total restaurant receipts decreased by 8.7% in the first quarter of 2021 compared with a year earlier.

     Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the first quarter of 2021 with the first quarter of 2020, total receipts of Chinese restaurants decreased by 18.3% in value and 18.2% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants decreased by 1.3% in value and 0.2% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops decreased by 4.9% in value and 5.9% in volume. Total receipts of bars decreased by 74.7% in value and 73.2% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts increased by 5.4% in value and 4.1% in volume.

     Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of total restaurant receipts decreased by 2.1% in value and 2.0% in volume in the first quarter of 2021 compared with the preceding quarter.

     To facilitate further understanding of the short-term business performance of the restaurants sector, statistics in respect of the restaurant receipts and purchases in individual months of the reference quarter are also compiled.

     Analysed by month, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector decreased by 38.7% in January 2021, but increased by 10.1% and 20.7% respectively in February and March 2021, compared with the corresponding months in 2020.

     After discounting the effect of price changes, it was provisionally estimated that the volume of total restaurant receipts decreased by 38.1% in January 2021, but increased by 10.1% and 20.1% respectively in February and March 2021, compared with the corresponding months in 2020.
 
Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that the value of total restaurant receipts showed a narrower year-on-year decline of 8.8% in the first quarter of 2021, mainly due to a lower base of comparison. Business improved successively in February and March from the difficult situation in January, as the fourth wave of the local epidemic receded. Yet, total restaurant receipts in March was still sizably lower than the levels before the COVID-19 pandemic.

     The spokesman further pointed out that the business environment of restaurants will remain challenging in the near term, as the local job and income situation is still under notable pressure and inbound tourism remains in the doldrums. Nonetheless, the recent relaxation of certain restrictions on restaurants with the "vaccine bubble" as the basis should render some support. It is essential for the community to work together to keep the epidemic under control and to actively participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, so as to lay a more solid foundation for the revival of consumer-facing activities and international travel.

Further information

     Table 1 presents the revised figures of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant and total purchases by the restaurants sector for the fourth quarter of 2020 as well as the provisional figures for the first quarter of 2021.

     Table 2 and Table 3 present the revised value and volume indices respectively of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant for the fourth quarter of 2020 and the provisional indices for the first quarter of 2021.

     Table 4 presents the year-on-year rate of change in total restaurant receipts in value and volume terms based on the original quarterly series, as well as the quarter-to-quarter rate of change based on the seasonally adjusted series.

     The revised figures on restaurant receipts and purchases for the first quarter of 2021 (with breakdown by month) will be released through the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode540.html) and relevant publications of the Department from June 21, 2021.

     The classification of restaurants follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.

     More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Quarterly Survey of Restaurant Receipts and Purchases". Users can download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080002&scode=540).

     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7401; email: qsr@censtatd.gov.hk).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 6) investigating an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) at a kindergarten in Sha Tin, 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 10 girls aged 3 to 6. They developed cough, runny nose, sore throat and fever since April 26. Seventeen of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All of them are now in stable condition.
 
     Officers of the CHP have advised the kindergarten to adopt necessary infection control measures against respiratory infections. The kindergarten 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 kindergarten is covered in the compulsory testing notice (CTN) on April 30 to exclude the possibility of COVID-19 infection. The kindergarten 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 a 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.