The Government today (February 11) announced the re-appointments of three incumbent members, as well as the appointment of a new member, namely Ms Lee Sau-king, to the Committee on Financial Assistance for Family Members of those who Sacrifice their Lives to Save Others (the Committee) for a term of two years with effect from February 15, 2021.
 
    The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, welcomed the appointments and thanked the outgoing member, Ms Liu Po-chu, for her contribution to the Committee.
 
    The Committee considers and approves applications under the Financial Assistance Scheme to Family Members of those who Sacrifice their Lives to Save Others. The Scheme represents the Government's recognition of the brave acts and sacrifice undertaken by these individuals and seeks to alleviate the financial hardship that their family members may face as a consequence of their death.
 
    The list of non-official members of the Committee in the new term is as follows:
 
Miss Edna Chow On-lai
Mr Law King-shing
Ms Lee Sau-king
Ms Wong May-kwan

     In line with the Government's announcement yesterday (February 10) to fully resume normal public services, the Inland Revenue Department announced today (February 11) that it will resume normal public services from February 18. Details of the opening hours of its various offices can be found on the department's website at www.ird.gov.hk/eng/cu_ol.htm.

     As an infection control measure, all visitors entering or remaining in the department's premises are required to wear masks. To reduce social contact, the department encourages the public to use electronic services to handle tax affairs as much as possible. A list of such services can be found on the department's website at www.ird.gov.hk/eng/ese/index.htm.

     For enquiries, please call the department's hotline at 187 8088 during office hours.
 

     ​The Labour Department (LD) today (February 11) again reminded foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) to comply with social distancing measures announced by the Government.
      
     An LD spokesman said, "According to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) and the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I), a person who participates in a prohibited group gathering of more than two persons in public places or fails to wear a mask in accordance with the requirement may be charged a fixed penalty of $5,000. During the Chinese New Year holidays (from February 12 to February 15), the LD will, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Police Force, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Home Affairs Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, conduct mobile broadcasts in multiple languages and joint operations for four consecutive days at popular FDH gathering places across the territory to call upon FDHs to comply with the relevant requirements. Relevant departments will take enforcement action against those who still refuse to abide by the regulations after repeated reminders. LD officers have been appointed by the Director of Health as authorised officers to assist in enforcing the above-mentioned two regulations.
      
     "We remind FDHs to strictly observe the requirements and appeal to them to avoid gatherings (including in boarding facilities), food sharing and other social activities on their rest days and stay at home for rest as far as possible to safeguard their personal health. We also encourage employers and FDHs to discuss rest day arrangements, so as to minimise the health risk of participating in social activities."
      
     At the same time, employers are reminded that they must not compel their FDHs to work on a rest day. An employer who compels his or her FDH to work on a rest day without the agreement of the FDH or fails to grant rest days to the FDH is in breach of the Employment Ordinance and is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000.
      
     Should FDHs and their employers have any enquiries on employment matters, they may contact the LD through the dedicated FDH hotline at 2157 9537 (manned by 1823), by email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk or through the online form on the dedicated portal (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk).

     The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (February 11) announced that the tender period for the contract for Tung Chung New Town Extension – Major Infrastructure Works in Tung Chung East (Contract No. NL/2020/03) has been extended to noon on March 12.
 
     The CEDD invited tenders for the contract on December 31, 2020. The tender period was originally scheduled to expire at noon on February 26, 2021.
 
     The extension of the tender period was gazetted today. Details of the tender notice are available at the CEDD's website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender-notices/contracts/tender-notices/index.html).
 
     The CEDD has appointed AECOM Asia Company Limited as the consultant to design and supervise the works. For enquiries, please call the company at 3922 9000 during office hours. 

     The Government intends to carry out construction works of a barrage within an area of approximately 114,000 square metres of foreshore and seabed at the downstream of Yuen Long Nullah. The extent of the area of foreshore and seabed affected is described in a notice gazetted today (February 11).

     The proposed works will involve construction of a barrage, pumping stations and associated electrical and mechanical facilities as well as revitalisation of a section of the existing Yuen Long Nullah. The proposed barrage would enhance the flood protection level of the Yuen Long town centre and reduce the flood risk. The proposed works are tentatively scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2022 for completion in the third quarter of 2029.

     The notice and its related plan are posted near the site. The plan is also available for inspection at:

* Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department (23/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong) (where copies can be purchased on order);

* Yuen Long Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Yuen Long District Office (G/F, Yuen Long District Office Building, 269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories); and

* Lands Department's website (www.landsd.gov.hk) under Government Notices.

     Any person who considers that he or she has an interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and seabed involved may submit a written objection to the Director of Lands, 20/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, within two months from the above-mentioned date, i.e. on or before April 11. The notice of such objection shall describe the interest, right or easement of the objector and the manner in which he or she will be allegedly affected.