The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Finance Committee will hold a meeting from 9am to 1pm and from 3pm to 9.30pm tomorrow (April 17) in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex.
 
     Meanwhile, the LegCo House Committee (HC) will hold a special meeting tomorrow at 2.30pm in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex to continue the proceedings of the election of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of HC for the 2019-2020 session.

     A spokesperson for the Government Property Agency (GPA) said today (April 16) that it is writing to eligible tenants under its purview to notify them of the implementation of the Government's latest rental concession measures.

     In response to the challenges arising from the COVID-19 epidemic, the Chief Executive announced on April 8 a series of measures involving over $130 billion to help businesses stay afloat, keep workers in employment, and relieve financial burdens of individuals and businesses.

     One of the measures is to enhance the rental reduction for eligible businesses/organisations renting government premises from 50 per cent to 75 per cent for the six-month period from April to September 2020. The scope of the enhanced 75 per cent rental concession will also be expanded to benefit more businesses/organisations, such as regulators' offices for public transport operators and advertising signboards leased by the GPA. Tenants of government premises that are required to completely cease operation due to the Government's implementation of anti-epidemic measures will even receive full rental waiver during the closure period.

     Tenants may approach the GPA in case they have any enquiries.

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

     The Ombudsman, Ms Winnie Chiu, today (April 16) declared a direct investigation into the regulatory regime for the safe operation of lifts and escalators administered by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD).

     In March 2017, an escalator connecting the fourth and eighth level of Langham Place, Mong Kok suddenly slid backwards at high speed while in operation, causing injuries to 18 passengers. Serious lift accidents then occurred in April and May 2018 respectively at Waterside Plaza in Tsuen Wan and Paris Court of Sheung Shui Town Centre, resulting in one death and two critical injuries. These accidents had aroused wide concern about the safety and repair/maintenance of lifts and escalators. Over the past year, the Office of The Ombudsman has also received several complaints concerning the repair and maintenance of lifts.

     The design, installation, maintenance and examination of lifts and escalators in Hong Kong are regulated by the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance (Cap. 618). Under the Ordinance, all lifts and escalators are required to undergo periodic maintenance and examinations by registered contractors and workers. The EMSD conducts random inspections on the maintenance and examination work to monitor compliance. Non-compliant registered contractors and workers are subject to prosecution and disciplinary action.

     All new lifts and escalators, including their safety components, must satisfy the prevailing safety standards prescribed by the EMSD at the time of installation. With technological advancements, new components had been integrated into the design of lifts and escalators gradually to improve safety. As at the end of 2017, there were more than 66 000 lifts and 9 300 escalators in Hong Kong. The Ombudsman's preliminary inquiries found that about 80 per cent of the lifts and 90 per cent of the escalators had not been installed with components that meet the latest safety standards. In addition, around 30 per cent of the lifts and 20 per cent of the escalators were at least 30 years old. Since components of lifts and escalators are susceptible to wear and tear as well as ageing, their safe operation depends on regular and proper maintenance and repairs. Accidents involving lifts and escalators can bring grave consequences. The importance of the EMSD's monitoring of the examinations and repairs conducted by engineers and technicians cannot be underestimated.

     "In Hong Kong, high-rise buildings are everywhere and lifts and escalators are frequently used in our daily lives. Periodic examinations and proper maintenance to ensure their safe operation are of paramount importance. Those serious accidents involving lifts and escalators that have happened in recent years have aroused public concern about the adequacy of the Government's current regulatory measures. Our Office, therefore, initiates this direct investigation to probe into the issue and identify areas for improvement," Ms Chiu noted.

     The ambit of this direct investigation includes:

(1) the requirements under the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance regarding the maintenance and examination of lifts and escalators;
(2) the adequacy of the EMSD's monitoring mechanism for the maintenance and examination of lifts and escalators;
(3) the effectiveness of the EMSD's regulation of registered contractors and relevant technicians; and
(4) any areas for improvement.

     The Ombudsman now invites members of the public to give their views on the above topic in writing to the Office of The Ombudsman by May 16, 2020:

Address: 30/F, China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre
              168-200 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong
Fax: 2882 8149
Email: complaints@ombudsman.hk

     To help the recycling industry cope with the current economic situation and recent operational difficulties arising from the COVID-19 epidemic, the Recycling Fund (RF) has allocated additional funds of $50 million to raise the subsidy level under the One-off Rental Support Scheme (ORSS), earmarking a total funding of up to $250 million to fight the virus and help the recycling industry ride out the difficult times.
      
     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department said, "The Advisory Committee on Recycling Fund yesterday (April 15) agreed to strengthen support under the ORSS by increasing the rental assistance from 50 per cent to 75 per cent for the subsidy period from April to September this year. The maximum monthly rental subsidy for each recycler will be increased from $25,000 to $37,500, while the maximum total rental subsidy for the 12-month period will be increased correspondingly from $300,000 to $375,000."
      
     The ORSS, benefiting about 500 street-corner recycling shops and 400 recycling sites, was launched last year by the RF. In the face of the current economic difficulties and the impact of the epidemic, the RF announced in February this year an extension of the subsidy period from six months (i.e. from October 2019 to March this year) to 12 months (until September this year).
      
     As of April 9, the ORSS has approved 103 applications involving subsidies of over $20 million.
      
     The application deadline for the ORSS is September 30. For more information about the scheme, please visit the RF website (www.recyclingfund.hk) or contact the Secretariat at 2788 5658 or by email enquiry@recyclingfund.hk.

     A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) said today (April 15) that the Government will launch the "Fitness Centre Subsidy Scheme" (the Scheme) under the second phase of the "Anti-epidemic Fund" to provide relief to fitness centre operators to help tide them over their financial difficulties arising from the suspension of their operation pursuant to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (the Regulation) (Cap. 599F).
      
     The Scheme aims to provide a one-off subsidy of $100,000 to the operator of each affected fitness centre. It is expected to benefit more than 1 600 fitness centres. The spokesperson appeals to the Legislative Council Finance Committee for the early approval of the subsidy.
      
     The HAB will continue to maintain close liaison with the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China as well as the respective national sports associations and take into account their views when finalising the details of the Scheme with a view to providing appropriate support to the fitness centres and practitioners as early as possible.
      
     According to the Regulation, fitness centres refer to any premises that provide exercise machines or equipment for use and/or provide advice, instruction, training or assistance (including bodybuilding, dancing, yoga, pilates or body stretching and martial arts) on improving physical fitness.