The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) announced today (December 31) that four city dashboards are now available on the Public Sector Information (PSI) Portal (data.gov.hk) to facilitate the public to visualise real-time and dynamic city data of Hong Kong.
      
     By making use of open data released by the Government, the dashboards present data on environment and weather, transport and traffic, public facilities and services, and a city overview on interactive charts and online maps. These include the latest weather conditions of a particular district, the estimated travelling time of major routes, the arrival time of the next bus or train, information on public facilities and a population overview. Users are also provided with flexibility to filter information on dashboards or adjust the combination of presented data on online maps to suit their needs.
      
     A spokesman for the OGCIO said, "The new dashboards were developed with design-thinking methodology so that they are more user-friendly. The open data processed and aligned during the development of the dashboards are also opened up as new datasets or Application Programming Interfaces to facilitate further use by the industry. The dashboards will also help stimulate data providers and the public to brainstorm more ideas on open data and new innovative applications for smart city development."
      
     The Government has been promoting the opening of government data. The first annual open data plans were published by government bureaux and departments (B/Ds) in December 2018. By the end of 2019, the number of datasets on the PSI Portal had reached some 4 000 datasets. Among the 700-plus new datasets released are the datasets of real-time estimated arrival times of New World First Bus, Citybus, New Lantao Bus and the MTR, which are long-awaited by the industry and popular among the public.
      
     The B/Ds have just published their second annual open data plans on their respective websites. Over 220 new datasets are scheduled for release in 2020, including weather data from the Hong Kong Observatory and the 1:50 000 topographic map from the Lands Department. A full list of the plans is available on the PSI Portal. The public can also provide comments for B/Ds' consideration.

        

     The Lands Department announced today (December 31) that in respect of the tender for the site Kowloon Inland Lot No. 11262 at the junction of Lin Cheung Road and Austin Road West, Kowloon, which was awarded on November 27 to the successful tenderer, Century Opal Limited and Max Century (H.K.) Limited (parent company: Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited), on a 50-year land grant at a premium of $42,232,000,000, the tender amounts submitted by the unsuccessful tenderers in descending order are published on an anonymous basis as follows:

(1) $32,288,899,000
(2) $22,153,000,000

     The information disclosed in this press release is for information only.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Coronavirus OC43 in a male ward for severe intellectual disability, the spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital made the following update today (December 31):
 
     One more 59-year-old patient and a staff member in the ward had presented with respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests had been arranged for the patient and the test result was positive for Coronavirus OC43. The patient concerned is being treated under isolation with stable condition. The staff member is currently on leave. Coronavirus OC43 is a known human coronavirus, which usually causes a mild respiratory infection such as a common cold.
 
     Admission to the ward has been suspended, and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 30) seized about 3 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $3.1 million at Hong Kong International Airport.

     A 30-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Buenos Aires, Argentina, via Amsterdam, the Netherlands, yesterday. During customs clearance, the batch of suspected cocaine was found concealed in three milk powder formula cans inside her check-in baggage. The woman was then arrested.

     The arrested woman has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. She will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on January 2.

     Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment strategy to select inbound, outbound and transit passengers for clearance to intercept different kinds of drug trafficking activities.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

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

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning January 6, 2020: