The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson announced the following senior appointment today (January 28): Dr So Wing-yee will be appointed as … read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:
This press release summarises the decisions of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 103rd meeting held in January 2021:
The CA considered two complaint cases in respect of broadcasters’ non-compliance with the Generic Code of Practice on Television Programme Standards (TV Programme Code):
(a) A complaint against the television programme “Scoop” broadcast on May 21, 2020, on the Jade Channel of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB). The CA took the view that the complaint in respect of fairness and right of reply was justified and decided that TVB should be strongly advised to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the TV Programme Code; and
(b) Complaints against three editions of the television programme “Headliner”, respectively broadcast on the RTHK TV 31 Channel of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) and the Jade Channel of TVB on February 28, 2020; on the RTHK TV 31 Channel of RTHK on March 13, 2020; and on the RTHK TV 31 Channel of RTHK on April 10, 2020. The CA took the view that the complaints in respect of denigration of and insult to police officers for the three editions under complaint, and the lack of suitable opportunity for response for the edition broadcast on March 13, 2020, were justified and that RTHK should be strongly advised to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the TV Programme Code.
Details of the above cases are at www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/en/content_713/appx_20210128.pdf. read more
The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, visited a construction site at Muk Yuen Street in Kai Tak today (January 28) to learn about the testing arrangement for construction workers under the Construction Industry COVID-19 Testing Service Scheme and to inspect the preventive measures against COVID-19 adopted at the site. Mr Wong visited the site together with the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Lam Sai-hung; the Chairman of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), Mr Chan Ka-kui; the Executive Director of the CIC, Mr Albert Cheng; and the President of the Hong Kong Construction Association (HKCA), Mr Allan Chan.
“We are grateful for the construction industry’s relentless effort in fighting the epidemic by taking the initiative to launch this industry-led testing scheme,” Mr Wong said. “As the industry is familiar with the surroundings and operations at sites, the implementation of the Scheme has taken full account of the actual operational needs at the sites. When a worker preliminarily tests positive for the virus, the main contractor can quickly arrange site disinfection and follow-up work. This helps prevent an outbreak.”
Mr Chan Ka-kui said, “Through the arrangement by the CIC and the HKCA for a professional testing service provider to conduct on-site testing services, time and resources could be saved in collecting and returning the specimens, thereby providing convenience for the workers to undergo the tests. The active participation of main contractors, subcontractors and workers demonstrates the solidarity of the construction industry and their determination to fight the epidemic together.”
Mr Allan Chan added, “In addition to the Scheme, we have also established inspection teams to review the preventive measures adopted at various construction sites, such as management of site entrances, provision of ventilation facilities and arrangement of resting areas, and to offer recommendations for improvement. We hope all main contractors will continue to strengthen the preventive measures on-site, and at the same time improve the workers’ awareness of epidemic prevention, so that everyone can work at ease.”
The Legislative Council (LegCo) member for the Architectural, Surveying, Planning and Landscape functional constituency, Mr Tony Tse, and the LegCo member for the Engineering functional constituency, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, also joined the visit.
In view of the severity of the COVID-19 epidemic, the CIC and the HKCA, with support from the Development Bureau, jointly launched the Scheme on December 22 last year to provide on-site testing services to further strengthen the preventive measures at construction sites. The Scheme has so far provided testing services to over 22 000 workers at 93 sites and 99.98 per cent of their test results were negative. Four confirmed cases have been identified so far and were handled by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health according to the established mechanism. The contractors concerned were also notified promptly that there were confirmed cases at their sites and arranged follow-up work accordingly.
The Scheme arranges for a professional testing service provider to visit both public and private construction sites and provide voluntary COVID-19 testing for construction workers and site personnel. With the subsidy provided by the CIC and the HKCA, developers/main contractors only need to pay part of the testing fee to offer testing services to workers and site staff who voluntarily join the Scheme.
Application for the Scheme will close on January 31. Main contractors who are interested in participating are required to return completed application forms as soon as possible for arranging testing services. The application form can be downloaded from the CIC website (www.cic.hk/CITS).
Apart from the Scheme, the Government is also providing a one-off free COVID-19 voluntary testing service to all registered construction workers through Community Testing Centres until January 31. Interested workers can register via the Community Testing Centres’ booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk).
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, January 28, 2021 is 101 (up 0.4 against yesterday’s index). read more
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 27) seized 302 bags of coloured and patterned surgical masks (1 510 pieces in total), with bacterial counts found to be suspected of exceeding the maximum permitted limit, from venues under a chain cosmetics group and a related manufacturer. The masks are suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO). Customs appeals to members of the public to stop using these masks, and traders should remove the product from shelves as well. The masks seized are worth about $4,500 and two persons have been arrested so far.
In view of the increasing popularity of surgical masks with colours and patterns in the market, Customs has test-purchased over 50 samples of such masks for tests since last year. Test results revealed that all samples comply with the safety standards. Also, Customs has test-purchased 16 samples in its latest theme-based operation targeting that type of mask and conducted tests according to the related hygienic standard for disposable sanitary products. The total bacterial count of one sample was found to be exceeding the maximum permitted limit by 12.5 times, in contravention of the CGSO.
The sample was test-purchased from a chain cosmetics group’s retail shop in Jordan. It was put in a five-piece bag pack and sold for $15 per pack.
Immediate action was taken upon noting the test results, by which 200 bags (1 000 pieces in total) of the masks were seized from a total of nine retail shops of the group concerned in Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Mong Kok and Tsing Yi yesterday.
An additional seizure of 102 bags (510 pieces in total) of the same type of masks was made on the same day from three retail shops of the Hong Kong manufacturer in Mong Kok and Lok Fu following further investigation.
A 47-year-old female manager of the chain cosmetics group and a 56-year-old male director of the manufacturer were arrested. They have been released on bail pending further investigation.
An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not excluded.
An initial investigation revealed that the surgical masks involved were manufactured in Hong Kong.
Customs will further examine the masks to establish the types of bacteria present.
Apart from the retail shops of the cosmetics retailer and manufacturer connected with the case, no such product has been found for sale following checks at retail spots in various districts.
In view of the development of the COVID-19 epidemic, Customs launched a large-scale territory-wide special operation codenamed “Guardian” on January 27 last year to conduct spot checks, test purchases and inspections in various districts regarding surgical masks available in the market. Samples of masks were also sent to laboratories for tests on bacterial counts. To date, Customs has test-purchased over 760 types of surgical masks, among which 743 samples have been tested for bacterial counts.
Apart from the sample announced in this round, Customs has also announced another 12 types of surgical masks with bacterial counts suspected of exceeding the maximum permitted limit between March and December last year, of which the total bacterial counts exceeded the maximum permitted limit by 15 per cent to 22.6 times.
Customs again reminds members of the public to observe the following tips when purchasing and using surgical masks:
