Hong Kong Customs today (March 2) arrested a male kayak instructor suspected of having applied false trade descriptions to the kayak training course supplied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a male kayak instructor had made a false claim that a trainee would be awarded a recognised certificate issued by the relevant organisation upon completion of the kayak training course taught by him, which was contrary to the fact.

     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 38-year-old man.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied to a consumer commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

     Under the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme which started on February 26, a total of over 13 000 persons as of 8pm today (March 2) received their first vaccination doses. Since February 22, a cumulative total of over 40 000 persons have been vaccinated.
      
     As of 8pm today, a total of over 18 000 persons had reserved their first and second doses of a vaccine online today. Since February 23, a cumulative total of over 254 000 persons have made reservations for vaccination. 
      
     For the past 24 hours ended at 0000 hours today, there is one case of ambulance transfer to hospital (details at attachment).  

     A man who went missing in Tsuen Wan has been located.

     Wan Yin-keung, aged 35, went missing after he left his residence in Lei Muk Shue Estate on February 23 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on February 27.

     The man turned up at Kwai Chung Police Station to cancel the missing person report today (March 2) afternoon. He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The Department of Justice (DoJ) today (March 2) stressed that no one should interfere with prosecutorial decisions which are carried out strictly in accordance with the law.

     In light of recent comments calling for dropping charges against 47 persons who were prosecuted under Article 22 of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the DoJ reiterated that independent prosecutorial decisions are based on an objective assessment of all admissible evidence, applicable laws and the Prosecution Code, without political considerations.

     Article 63 of the Basic Law stipulates that prosecutions in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are made by the DoJ, free from any interference. Prosecutions would only be commenced if there is sufficient admissible evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction.

     Any open demand for immediate release of the defendants, in the course of legal proceedings, is considered a disrespect of our judicial and legal systems. It also undermines the rule of law and is seen as an attempt to meddle in Hong Kong's affairs which are internal affairs of the People's Republic of China. 

     The Hong Kong National Security Law expressly provides that human rights such as freedom of speech and assembly, be protected, and legal principles such as presumption of innocence be respected and observed.

     The DoJ also reminded that it is inappropriate to comment further as the legal proceedings of the case are still ongoing.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 2) investigating two suspected food poisoning clusters affecting five persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
 
     The first cluster involved two females aged 31 and 35, who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting about 17 to 35 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in Yau Tsim Mong District on February 26.
 
     The other cluster involved two males and a female aged 44 to 47, who developed similar symptoms about 26 to 38 hours after having dinner at the same restaurant on February 27.
     
     Four of the affected persons sought medical advice and none required hospitalisation. They are in stable condition.
     
     "We have alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident and investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.
     
     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 
• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.