The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:
 
     The Liquor Licensing Board (LLB) will meet on Tuesday (March 9) to consider eight applications for new issue, renewal and transfer of liquor licences.
 
     The applications are (not in order of discussion):
 
Hong Kong and Islands:
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Giabar and Mars in Sheung Wan
Involtini Italian Cuisine in Causeway Bay
Isara in Mui Wo
 
Kowloon:
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"Sichuan Flavour" in Hung Hom
 
New Territories:
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MEGA STAR CAFE in Yuen Long
"Chiu Hing Seafood Dishes" in Tsuen Wan
Hai Di Lao Hot Pot – Park Central Shop in Tseung Kwan O
 
     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. In response to the latest developments of COVID-19, to avoid the gathering of people in an enclosed environment and to safeguard the health of all participants, only limited public seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for all open hearings of the LLB in the interim.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Marine Department today (March 7) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported.

     Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

     Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly.

     Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67.

     In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801.

     The Employees Retraining Board's Certificate in Youth Inspiration Training course helps improve young people's prospects in finding work during the COVID-19 epidemic.
 
     News.gov.hk spoke to the programme's trainees to see how the course has helped them discover interests and enhance their competitiveness.
 
     The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature today (March 7) in text and video format.
 

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

     Under the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme which started on February 26, as of 8pm today (March 6), a total of about 11 000 persons received their first dose of the Sinovac vaccine in the past 24 hours, including about 7 700 persons receiving vaccination at eight Community Vaccination Centres, and about 3 100 persons at private doctors and clinics participating in the programme.
 
      The overall percentage of people who booked and received the Sinovac vaccine at the eight community vaccination centres is about 89 per cent today.
 
     Since February 22, a cumulative total of about 83 400 persons have received their first dose of the Sinovac vaccine, while a total of about 300 persons received their first dose of the Comirnaty vaccine today.
 
     For the past 24 hours ended at 0000 hours today, there were two cases of ambulance transfer to hospital (details at attachment).