Report No. 76 of the Director of Audit

     Report No. 76 of the Director of Audit on the results of value for money audits was tabled in the Legislative Council this morning (April 28).

     Value for money audit is an examination into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which any bureau of the Government Secretariat, department, agency or other public body has discharged its functions. Report No. 76 of the Director of Audit covers a variety of subjects on the administration of government programmes and provision of public services.
 
     Report No. 76 of the Director of Audit comprises the following seven chapters:
 

Chapter   Subject
1 Management of birth, death and marriage registrations
2 Education support measures for non-Chinese speaking students
3  Control of trade in endangered species by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
4 Innovation and Technology Commission:
Efforts in promoting internationally accepted standards and conformity assessment services
5  Management of government vehicle fleet by the Government Logistics Department
6 Site formation and associated infrastructure works for development near Choi Wan Road and Jordan Valley
7 Upgrading and operation of Pillar Point Sewage Treatment Works

     Report No. 76 of the Director of Audit on the results of value for money audits is available on the Audit Commission's website at www.aud.gov.hk.



Red flags hoisted at some beaches

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 (April 28) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.



Labour Department to hold productivity assessment seminar for employees with disabilities under Statutory Minimum Wage regime

     The Labour Department will hold a seminar on productivity assessment for employees with disabilities under the Statutory Minimum Wage regime on May 26 (Wednesday) at 3pm at the Hall of the Mong Kok Community Hall, L2, Mong Kok Complex, 557 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok. Enrolment is now open.

     Details of productivity assessment for employees with disabilities under the Minimum Wage Ordinance will be introduced in the seminar. Employers, persons with disabilities and their family members as well as representatives from rehabilitation organisations are welcome to attend.

     The seminar will be conducted in Cantonese with sign language interpretation service provided. Admission is free and seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The enrolment deadline is May 20 (Thursday). The enrolment form can be downloaded from the department's website (www.labour.gov.hk). Infection control measures taking into account the latest epidemic situation will be adopted at the venue. For enquiries, please call 2852 3856.



Extending operating hours of passenger clearance services at Shenzhen Bay Control Point

     A Government spokesman said today (April 28) that the operating hours of passenger clearance services at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point (SBCP) will be adjusted to 10am – 10pm daily with effect from April 29 (Thursday) until further notice.
 
     In view of the epidemic's development, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has, since January 30, 2020, suspended passenger clearance services at 12 land-based and sea-based control points by phases with a view to reducing cross-boundary people flow and the risk of spreading the virus. For land-based control points, only the SBCP and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port are still providing passenger clearance services at present. In addition, since April 2020 till now, the operating hours of passenger clearance services at the SBCP have been temporarily adjusted from 6.30am – 0.00am daily to 10am – 8pm daily.
 
     The spokesman said having regard to the latest epidemic development in the Mainland and the HKSAR, and to tie in with the extension of the Return2hk Scheme (scope of which to be extended from covering only Hong Kong residents returning from Guangdong Province or Macao to also those from other places in the Mainland) from April 29, the HKSAR Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government have, after deliberation, agreed to adjust the operating hours of passenger clearance services at the SBCP to 10am – 10pm daily. It aims to enable cross-boundary travellers with genuine needs to travel (e.g. for business purpose or for visiting relatives, etc) without posing an additional health risk to the two places. It is also a step towards the resumption of cross-boundary people flow between the two places in a gradual and orderly manner.
 
     The spokesman added that the cargo clearance operating hours at the SBCP have been extended to 24 hours with effect from December 10, 2020.
 
     The HKSAR Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government will continue to closely monitor the epidemic development and the needs of travellers with a view to resuming the operating hours of passenger clearance at the SBCP in an orderly manner.



Key statistics on service demand of A&E Departments and occupancy rates in public hospitals

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the service demand surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.