The Nuclear Emergency Committee Office of the Guangdong Province notified the Security Bureau today (January 26) of an operational event at Yangjiang Nuclear Power Station, a Security Bureau spokesperson said today.

     On January 24, station staff of Yangjiang Nuclear Power Co Ltd (YNPC) found during an inspection that two switches of the backup power circuit in the distribution board at the electrical plant of Unit 5 were not closed, which did not meet the requirement.  Station staff immediately restored these switches to the closed status according to the procedures, and reported the situation to the relevant nuclear safety regulatory authority in a timely manner.  The Unit remained in a safe condition throughout the above event.

     In accordance with the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale and the relevant nuclear safety regulations, this event was classified as a Level 0 deviation on January 25 and did not affect the safe operation of the Unit, the health of the workers, the nearby public or the environment.

     YNPC has released the details of this event on its website (www.yjnp.com.cn) (Chinese only), which can be viewed in the "operational events" section under the "nuclear and radiation safety information" page of the website.

     Hongkong Post said today (January 26) that a postman of the General Post Office Delivery Office (GPO/DO) tested positive for COVID-19.
 
     The GPO/DO is not open to the public and is also separated from other working units, including the post office, in the same building. The postman last performed duty on January 23. On the same day, he was informed by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) that a contractor driver who had work contact with him was confirmed positive for COVID-19. As such, he was identified as a close contact and sent to the quarantine centre for isolation on January 24. Today, he was notified of his positive result while under quarantine.
 
     The postman concerned was responsible for the delivery duty for B/F to 6/F of Jardine House and Prince's Building in Central last week. Hongkong Post today sent staff to buildings that the postman concerned had visited for delivery and informed their respective management offices about the case. Notices have also been put up in these buildings to notify their commercial tenants of the situation. For further enquiry, members of the public may call the Mail Distribution Division's hotline 2723 3454 during office hours.
 
     The postman concerned was wearing a mask while working outdoors and inside the GPO/DO, and his body temperature was normal during temperature screening at work.
 
     After learning about the case at around noon today, Hongkong Post immediately arranged for the temporary closure of the GPO/DO until January 27, and for a thorough cleaning and disinfection of all the facilities and mail items in the GPO/DO pursuant to the guidelines set out by the CHP. Hongkong Post is rendering its full support to the CHP for its investigation and tracing efforts. All staff members of the GPO/DO were informed about the case and arranged to undergo COVID-19 testing. While awaiting the test results, the staff concerned will rest at home. Mail delivery service for the district (including Admiralty, the Peak, Mid-levels, Central, Sheung Wan, Sai Ying Pun and Kennedy Town) will be delayed during the said period. Hongkong Post apologises for the inconvenience caused.

     Hongkong Post has always attached great attention to the occupational health and safety of its staff by strictly implementing various infection prevention measures during the epidemic, including conducting body temperature screening for all staff members; providing them with protective gear such as face shields, protective goggles, masks, alcohol-based handrub, gloves and alcohol swabs; and requiring them to wear masks when performing duties and stepping up the cleaning of their working environment.
 
     Hongkong Post will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP. Staff members are also reminded to take note of their personal hygiene and stay vigilant at all times, and they are also advised to seek medical advice immediately in case of feeling unwell.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recorded higher than normal pollution levels since noon today (January 26). At 7pm, the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at the Tuen Mun general monitoring station reached 10+, corresponding to the "Serious" health risk category.
    
     Hong Kong is under the influence of a high-pollution background airstream, and the weather was fine with light winds in the afternoon. The light wind hindered the effective dispersion of air pollutants. The sunshine enhanced photochemical smog activity and the rapid formation of ozone and fine particulates in the Pearl River Delta region. The high level of ozone has also promoted the formation of nitrogen dioxide.

     According to the Hong Kong Observatory, a fresh easterly airstream will affect the coast of Guangdong tomorrow (January 27). It is expected that the air pollution level will remain higher than normal until the advent of stronger wind.

     With a health risk category in the "Very High" range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public are advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time staying outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from health-care professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection's website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on the health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.

     The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB website for appropriate measures to safeguard students' health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows: www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html.

     When the AQHI is at the "Very High" level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the "Serious" level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees.

     Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings at the EPD's website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or by calling the hotline 2827 8541. 

     Dragages Hong Kong Limited was fined $90,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (January 26) for violation of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.
      
     The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on December 6, 2018, at a construction site of the Liantang Port/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point. A worker, while engaging in asphalt laying preparation work inside a tunnel under construction, was knocked over and killed by an unmanned lorry that rolled backwards.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) announced today (January 26) that public services will be resumed gradually. The department will continue to adopt necessary precautionary measures to reduce the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
 
     The Registration and Permit Office at its Kowloon Bay headquarters will be open from 9am to 5.15pm, Monday to Friday, starting from January 28. Measures to control the flow of people will be implemented, which may lead to longer waiting times for counter services. The EMSD has introduced the online booking system (rpobooking.emsd.gov.hk) for the public to register for counter services in advance. Meanwhile, the public can still drop their applications, with cheques for payment, at the collection box located on the ground floor at the Kowloon Bay headquarters during office hours. Applicants will be notified on the results by phone or mail.
 
     The EMSD Gallery and the EMSD Education Path will continue to be closed until further notice. For enquiries, please call 3757 6162 or email to edpath@emsd.gov.hk.
 
     The EMSD appeals to the public to minimise visiting its headquarters in person unless necessary, and to file requests for service by post or email. Members of the public should wear surgical masks at all times during their visits to the EMSD headquarters and comply with the infection control measures including temperature checks and crowd control arrangements.
 
     The EMSD will continue to monitor the situation closely and review the arrangements in a timely manner. For enquiries, please call 2333 3762 or email to info@emsd.gov.hk.