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 9) 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 Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Hong Kong Customs today (April 8) seized a batch of 14 models of suspected law-breaking shower gels, household cleaning detergents and clothing bleaches from various premises of a chain retailing group. The product information marked on the packages of the products involved failed to bear bilingual warnings or cautions with respect to their safe keeping, use, consumption or disposal, suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Regulation, a subsidiary legislation of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance. 

     An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of more arrests is not excluded.

     Customs strongly condemns any false accusation maliciously alleging that its law enforcement action against the trader is "repression". For the sake of public interest, the department will make a public announcement on details of the case tomorrow (April 9) and alert the public on the suspected law-breaking products. Customs will take all necessary action, under which decisive law enforcement action will be taken if any suspected violation is found.

     The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme has been implemented for the 42nd day since February 26, 2021.
 
     So far, about 700 100 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered for members of the public (please see Annex 1). Among them, about 529 400 persons have received their first dose, with about 339 400 persons receiving the Sinovac vaccine and about 190 000 persons receiving the BioNTech vaccine. About 170 700 persons have received their second dose, with about 116 200 persons receiving the Sinovac vaccine and about 54 500 persons receiving the BioNTech vaccine.
 
     In the last 24 hours ending at 8pm today (April 8), the following vaccination and booking figures were recorded:
 
(i) About 3 300 persons received their first dose of the Sinovac vaccine, including about 1 700 persons vaccinated at eight Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) and about 1 600 persons at private doctors and clinics participating in the programme;
 
(ii) about 12 100 persons received their second dose of the Sinovac vaccine, including about 6 400 persons vaccinated at the CVCs and about 5 700 persons at private doctors and clinics;
 
(iii) about 10 100 persons received their first dose of the BioNTech vaccine at 21 CVCs, and about 14 800 persons received their second dose of the BioNTech vaccine;
 
(iv) the overall percentage of people who have received the Sinovac vaccine at the eight CVCs is about 96 per cent; while the overall percentage of people who have received the BioNTech vaccine at the 21 CVCs is about 98 per cent; and
 
(v) about 2 800 persons have made online bookings for receiving their first and second doses of the Sinovac vaccine, while about 11 600 persons have made online bookings for receiving their first and second doses of the BioNTech vaccine.
 
     In the last 24 hours ending at 0.00am today, there were nine cases of ambulance transfers to hospitals. Among them, seven persons were discharged, one person was admitted for observation and one person was discharged against medical advice (please see Annex 2).
 
     As background information, in the last 24 hours ending at 0.00am today, there were 49 cases of stroke or myocardial infarction that required admission to the Intensive Care Unit, Acute Stroke Unit and Cardiac Care Unit of public hospitals. The state of new cases admitted to the wards concerned is provided as a cross reference to enhance fuller public understanding of cases of the kind recorded on vaccine recipients.

     Police are investigating a Police open fire case in Tin Sum this morning (April 8).

     At 9.53am, officers of Traffic New Territories South conducted a traffic enforcement operation on Tai Po Road – Sha Tin and spotted a private car with an expired vehicle licence. When officers attempted to intercept the private car, the car fled towards Kowloon.

     When approaching the junction of Tai Chung Kiu Road and Sha Kok Street, the car rammed into a private car and fled towards Sha Tin Wai. When approaching the junction of Sha Tin Wai Road and Ngan Shing Street, the car rammed into a bus, two private cars, two taxis and a police vehicle. It did not stop and two male police officers gave verbal warnings to the driver inside the car but in vain. For the safety of his own and other road users, one of the male police officers subsequently fired one shot at the driver. Sustaining shoulder injury, the driver was sent to Prince of Wales Hospital in conscious state.

     After investigation, the 45-year-old male driver on the private car was arrested for dangerous driving, furious driving, driving without third party insurance, driving without a valid license and driving an unlicensed vehicle. The driver and a 37-year-old female passenger were also arrested for possession of instrument fit for unlawful purpose. All the arrestees are being detained for further enquiries.

     In the traffic accident, a 65-year-old female passenger on a private car, a 52-year-old male taxi driver and two male police officers sustained minor injuries while the arrested woman and a 2-year-old girl felt unwell. They were sent to Prince of Wales Hospital in conscious state.

     Some pliers, screwdrivers and gloves were seized.

     Investigation by the Regional Crime Unit of New Territories South is underway. Anyone who witnessed the case or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 1218.

     The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, this afternoon (April 8) chaired two briefing sessions to brief Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) and Hong Kong members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on the background, principles and main contents of the improvements to the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). This was the second round of briefing sessions of the same series hosted for Hong Kong deputies to the NPC and Hong Kong members of the CPPCC since last Wednesday.
 
     Mr Tsang began by elaborating on the background and aims of improving the electoral system. He pointed out that the purpose of improving the electoral system of the HKSAR is to plug the loopholes and improve the deficiencies in the electoral system, and develop a democratic system that suits Hong Kong's actual situation, meets the requirements for the implementation of "one country, two systems", and manifests the characteristics of Hong Kong, so as to ensure the comprehensive implementation of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and enhance the governance efficacies of the HKSAR Government thereby achieving good governance, allowing Hong Kong to develop the economy, improve people's livelihood and resolve various deep-seated problems with a view to ensuring the continued success of the "one country, two systems" and maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
 
     Mr Tsang explained that one of the core improvements to the electoral system is to increase the number of members, enhance the composition of the Election Committee (EC) and empower the EC with new functions. With its membership enlarged from 1 200 to 1 500, the EC will include a new Fifth Sector comprising the Hong Kong deputies to the NPC, Hong Kong members of the CPPCC and Hong Kong members of the relevant national organisations. Under the revised electoral system, not only will they be able to nominate Legislative Council (LegCo) Members but will return a LegCo seat in the new functional constituency.

     The attendees had fruitful exchanges and interactions with Mr Tsang at the briefing sessions during which they expressed their staunch support in the work of improving the electoral system. They also had in-depth conversations regarding various details of the electoral system and gave valuable and constructive feedbacks to the Government. 
 
     Noting the active participation of the attendees in national organisations, Mr Tsang said that with their comprehensive understanding of the national affairs, they have important roles to play in the EC in strengthening the elements of the country and integrating the national interests with Hong Kong's well-being.
 
     He hoped that all attendees would fully support and complement the work of improving the electoral system, and even after the conclusion of the work and in the course of governance in the forthcoming years, to continue to play active roles in supporting the Government to implement executive-led governance and policies to develop the economy and improve people's livelihood.