Hong Kong – CE takes part in Sport For All Day 2022 to encourage public to exercise (with photos/video)

Aug 8, 2022 | International

CE takes part in Sport For All Day 2022 to encourage public to exercise (with photos/video)

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     In support of Sport For All Day 2022 held by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (August 7) took part in sports fun game at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre to encourage the public to sustain a good habit of exercising regularly and keep body and mind healthy.



     The focal sport of Sport For All Day this year is electronic virtual sports, which is a combination of sports and electronic technology. Equipped with various sports equipment, participants will use intelligence technology to do sports in a virtual environment and enjoy sports fun in a non-traditional way. During the event, Mr Lee experienced the fun of e-boxing and watched the demonstration of breaking, which has been added to the 2024 Paris Olympics medal programme.



     Accompanying the Chief Executive to join the event were the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the District Officer (Tsuen Wan), Mr Billy Au; the Chairman of Community Sports Committee (CSC), Mr David Yip; the Vice-Chairman of CSC, Professor Patrick Yung; the Chairman of Tsuen Wan District Council (TWDC), Mr Sumly Chan; the Vice-Chairman of TWDC, Mr Yau Kam-ping; windsurfing athlete Hayley Victoria Chan and karatedo athlete Lau Chi-ming.



     To encourage the public to exercise more, 16 principal officials also joined the recreation and sports activities held at sports centres in various districts today, including the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam; the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Deputy Financial Secretary; Mr Michael Wong; the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung; the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun.



     Apart from opening various leisure facilities for free use by the public, the LCSD held free recreation and sports programmes at designated sports centres in 18 districts for public participation on Sport For All Day 2022. Sports demonstrations were also featured in a live webcast on the event dedicated website and “LCSD Plusss” Facebook page, so as to promote the message “Stay Active, Healthy and Happy!” in different ways, and to encourage members of the public to foster the habit of exercising for at least half an hour a day and to stay fit.



     Sport For All Day 2022 is co-organised by the Department of Health; the Sports Medicine Team of the Chinese University of Hong Kong; the Sports Medicine and Health Science Alumni Association of the Chinese University of Hong Kong; the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China; and the Hong Kong Sports Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability.

CPCB takes measures to implement the Single Use Plastic Ban

Jun 18, 2022 | Business


CPCB has undertaken comprehensive measures to give effect to India’s commitment to ban identified Single Use Plastic items by 30thJune, 2022, to realise Hon’ble PM’s clarion call to phase out SUP.CPCB’s multi-pronged approach as part of its Comprehensive Action Plan encompasses measures to reduce supply of raw materials, demand side measures to reduce plastic demand, enabling measures to promote alternatives to SUP, digital interventions for efficient monitoring and to create awareness, and guidance to State Boards for effective implementation of directions.


As per the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016, there is a complete ban on sachets using plastic material used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala. As per PWM (Amended) Rules, 2021, the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic less than seventy- five microns has been banned with effect from 30th September, 2021 as opposed to fifty microns recommended earlier under PWM Rules, 2016. Additionally, the notification of12th August 2021, prohibits manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the following identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential with effect from the 1st July, 2022:




  1. ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice- cream sticks, polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration.

  2. plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns, stirrers.




To curb the supply of identified items, directions have been issued at national, state and local level. For example, all leading petrochemical industries to not supply plastic raw materials to the industries engaged in banned SUP production. Additionally, directions have been issued to SPCB/PCCs to modify / revoke Consent to operate issued under Air/Water Act to industries engaged in banned SUP production. Customs Authority have been asked to stop the import of banned SUP items. To complete the loop, Local Authorities have been being directed to issue fresh commercial licenses with the condition that SUP items shall not be sold on their premises and the existing commercial licenses shall be cancelled, if entities are found to be selling banned SUP items.




As an alternative to the existing supply, enabling measures for promoting alternative to SUP are being actively pursued. CPCB has already issued one-time certificates to around 200 manufacturers of compostable plastic. These certificates do not require renewal which is in line with ease-of doing business policy of the Government. Further, an Online portal has been developed to facilitate certification of these manufacturers. To support the MSMEs, CPCB in association with CIPET is organizing Workshops for MSMEs across the country to transition to alternatives to SUP. Three such Workshops have been held at Ranchi, Guwahati & Madurai. Development of alternatives to petro based plastics is also being pursued in collaboration leading technical institutions like IISc and CIPET.


On the demand side, directions have been issued to E-commerce companies, leading single use plastic sellers/users, and plastic raw material manufacturers with respect to phasing out of


identified single use plastic items. To encourage citizens to partake in the efforts, SPCB’s and local bodies are organizing large scale awareness drives with participation of all citizens – students, voluntary organisations, self-help groups, local NGOs/CSOs, RWAs, market associations, corporate entities, etc. Previously, CPCB conducted surprise inspections of Gutkha / Pan Masala manufacturing industries across the country to check usage of plastic in packaging of their product.


To create an enabling support system, CPCB is handholding the State Boards to operationalise the advisories issued by conducting meetings so that all the Urban local bodies in the respective states are able to effectively implement the guidelines with their help. Regional Workshops with SPCBs/PCCs in addition to a Central Workshop with Chairpersons of all SPCBs/PCCs is being organised in June 2022.


Finally, multiple digital interventions have been made to increase efficiency at scale. To enable citizen participation, an SUP Public Grievance App was launched by Hon’ble Minister EF&CC, Shri Bhupender Yadav. The app has geotagging features with facility to track complaints. An SUP Compliance Monitoring Portal for filing of Reports by State / UT Authorities in compliance with Comprehensive Directions issued by CPCB for a bird’s eye view of progress and day-to-day monitoring.


CPCB is committed to facilitating the Single Use Plastic Ban of notified items through active collaboration with key stakeholders to achieve this ambitious goal of phasing out SUP plastics for India’s green future.


For regular updates, please follow the CPCB’s official website (cpcb.nic.in) and social media handles:




Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CPCBindia/| Twitter: @CPCB_OFFICIAL | Instagram: @cpcb_official

























1

Plastic Sticks

a

Earbuds

b

Balloons

c

Candy

d

Ice-cream

2

Cutlery items

a

Plates, cups , glasses, forks, spoons,


knives, trays

b

Glass

c

Forks

d

Spoons

e

Knives

f

Trays

3

Packaging / Wrapping Films

a

Sweet box

b

Invitation cards

c

Cigarette Packets

4

Other items

a

PVC banners < 100 µm, polystyrene for


decoration

b

Polystyrene for decoration






*****


HS




(Release ID: 1835009)
Visitor Counter : 949











Hong Kong – FEHD takes stringent enforcement actions against bars/pubs and other catering premises in defiance of anti-epidemic regulations (with photos)

Jun 12, 2022 | International

FEHD takes stringent enforcement actions against bars/pubs and other catering premises in defiance of anti-epidemic regulations (with photos)

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     A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (June 11) that the FEHD continued to step up its inspections territory-wide and conducted joint operations with the Police in Central and Western District, Wan Chai District, Islands District, Mong Kok District, Sham Shui Po District, Wong Tai Sin District, Sha Tin District, Kwai Tsing District, Tuen Mun District and Yuen Long District yesterday (June 10) till small hours today, so as to take enforcement actions against operators, staff and customers of bars/pubs, other catering premises and other premises in defiance of the anti-epidemic regulations. The spokesman reiterated that there have been multiple infection cases in certain bars/pubs and other catering premises recently, and it may be possible that among them, some operators and customers might not have complied with epidemic prevention regulations and restrictions, enforcement departments will proactively take stringent enforcement actions on an ongoing basis. 



     The spokesman reminded parties concerned to remain vigilant and strictly comply with the requirements and directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) (the Regulation), the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) etc., with a view to minimising the transmission risk in the community.



     The spokesman said, “All sectors of the community should not lower their guard, as the risk of rebound in the epidemic situation remains. The FEHD urges premises operators not to defy the law.”



     The FEHD and the Police yesterday inspected a total of 139 catering premises (including 72 bars/pubs) and eight other premises during the joint operations, and the FEHD on its own inspected a total of 400 catering premises (including nine bars/pubs) and 134 other premises in all districts. The FEHD initiated procedures on prosecution against operators of 15 bars/pubs in Central and Western District, Wan Chai District, Mong Kok District, Sham Shui Po District, Wong Tai Sin District and Tuen Mun District and two other catering premises in Kwai Tsing and Tsuen Wan Districts suspected of breaching the requirements under the directions. 



     The FEHD also required the premises to take corresponding measures for reducing the risk of transmission. Eight bars/pubs and two other catering premises found with irregularities had to, on the subsequent day of being identified of the irregularities by the enforcement officers, cease selling or supplying food or drink for consumption on the premises from 6pm to 4.59am of the subsequent day, and restrict the number of persons per table to no more than two for a period of three, seven or 14 days; while seven bars/pubs found with irregularities had to, on the subsequent day of being identified of the irregularities by the enforcement officers, close for 14 days.



     In addition, the FEHD also issued fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to 12 staff suspected of breaching the requirement of RAT record checking and two staff suspected of breaching the mask-wearing requirement and one customer suspected of breaching the requirement of scanning “LeaveHomeSafe” venue QR code and Vaccine Pass requirement in bars/pubs. The Police also took enforcement actions during the joint operations.



     If a person responsible for carrying on a catering business contravenes the Regulation or the requirements and directions of the Vaccine Pass, he or she is liable to be prosecuted and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months. Persons who are present at catering premises or other specified premises must comply with directions applicable to them. Non-compliance with the relevant directions is an offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $10,000, or the liability may be discharged by paying a fixed penalty of $5,000. In addition, for customers in breach of the requirement on the maximum number of persons per table within catering premises, they are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for violating the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G). For persons not wearing a mask when they are not eating or drinking at a table therein, they are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for contravening the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I).



     ​To minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the spokesman strongly appealed to all sectors of the community to stay vigilant and comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner. The FEHD has strengthened its publicity efforts and will continue to take stringent enforcement actions. All sectors are reminded to exercise self-discipline and co-operate to fight the virus together.

Hong Kong – FEHD takes stringent enforcement actions relating to anti-epidemic regulations over the past four days

Jun 6, 2022 | International

FEHD takes stringent enforcement actions relating to anti-epidemic regulations over the past four days

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     A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (June 6) that the FEHD continued to step up its inspections territory-wide and conducted joint operations with the Police in a number of districts over the past four days, so as to take enforcement actions against operators, staff and customers of bars/pubs, other catering premises and other premises in defiance of the anti-epidemic regulations. The spokesman reiterated that there have been multiple infection cases in certain bars/pubs and other catering premises, enforcement departments will proactively take enforcement actions on an ongoing basis. The spokesman reminded parties concerned again to remain vigilant and strictly comply with the requirements and directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) (the Regulation), the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) etc., with a view to minimising the transmission risk in the community.



     The spokesman said, “All sectors of the community should not lower their guard, as the risk of rebound in the epidemic situation remains. The FEHD urges premises operators not to defy the law.”



     The FEHD and the Police in the past four days (June 2 to 5) inspected a total of 133 catering premises (including 15 bars/pubs) and 27 other premises during the joint operations, and the FEHD on its own inspected a total of 1890 catering premises (including 70 bars/pubs) and 518 other premises in all districts. The FEHD initiated procedures on prosecution against operators of 10 catering premises in Central and Western District, Mong Kok, Wong Tai Sin, North District and Sai Kung and six bars/pubs in Central and Western District and Mong Kok suspected of breaching the requirements under the directions. Also, pursuant to the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X), the FEHD initiated procedures on prosecution against one restaurant operator suspected for operating food business in places outside the approved areas delineated on the plan under the licence.



     The FEHD also required the premises to take corresponding measures for reducing the risk of transmission. Four bars/pubs and 10 other catering premises found with irregularities had to, on the subsequent day of being identified of the irregularities by the enforcement officers, cease selling or supplying food or drink for consumption on the premises from 6pm to 4.59am of the subsequent day, and restrict the number of persons per table to no more than two for a period of three, seven or 14 days; while two bars/pubs found with irregularities had to, on the subsequent day of being identified of the irregularities by the enforcement officers, close for seven days.



     In addition, the FEHD also issued fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to 11 persons in a catering premises and six persons in a bar in Central suspected of breaching the group gathering requirement, and two customers suspected of breaching the requirement of scanning “LeaveHomeSafe” venue QR code and to one staff suspected of breaching the Vaccine Pass requirement in other catering premises. The Police also took enforcement actions during the joint operations.



     If a person responsible for carrying on a catering business contravenes the Regulation or the requirements and directions of the Vaccine Pass, he or she is liable to be prosecuted and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months. Persons who are present at catering premises or other specified premises must comply with directions applicable to them. Non-compliance with the relevant directions is an offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $10,000, or the liability may be discharged by paying a fixed penalty of $5,000. In addition, for customers in breach of the requirement on the maximum number of persons per table within catering premises, they are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for violating the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G). For persons not wearing a mask when they are not eating or drinking at a table therein, they are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for contravening the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I).



     Any licensee who carries on food business outside the licensed area is liable to be prosecuted for breaching section 34C of the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X) and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months.



     In addition, over the last long weekend, the FEHD, in collaboration with several government departments, conducted joint operations and carried out publicity and educational work at various public places where people, including domestic helpers, congregate during weekend and public holidays. The FEHD appealed to them to raise awareness of epidemic prevention and comply with the various anti-epidemic regulations and restrictions, stepped up patrols to combat unlicensed hawking activities, and arranged for cleaning service contractors to strengthen the street cleaning services at the relevant spots.



     From January 1 this year to yesterday, a total of 180 FPNs were issued to persons who breached public cleanliness offences or caused obstruction in public places, nine persons were arrested and prosecuted for illegal hawking in public places, 162 seizures of hawker abandoned articles, including cooked food, were effected, and three prosecutions were also taken against the operators of restaurants for breaching the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X). Domestic helpers have also been reminded by other government departments to comply with the regulations on mask wearing and the prohibition of gatherings in public places.



     To minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the spokesman strongly appealed to all sectors of the community to stay vigilant and comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner. The FEHD has strengthened its publicity efforts and will continue to take stringent enforcement actions. All sectors are reminded to exercise self-discipline and co-operate to fight the virus together.

Hong Kong – FEHD takes stringent enforcement actions relating to anti-epidemic regulations (with photos)

Jun 6, 2022 | International

FEHD takes stringent enforcement actions relating to anti-epidemic regulations (with photos)

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     A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (June 5) that the FEHD continued to step up its inspections territory-wide and conducted joint operations with the Police in Central and Western District yesterday (June 4), so as to take enforcement actions against operators, staff and customers of bars/pubs, other catering premises and other premises in defiance of the anti-epidemic regulations. The spokesman reiterated that there have been multiple infection cases in certain bars/pubs and other catering premises, enforcement departments will proactively take enforcement actions on an ongoing basis during this long weekend and the coming two weekends. The spokesman reminded parties concerned again to remain vigilant and strictly comply with the requirements and directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) (the Regulation), the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) etc., with a view to minimising the transmission risk in the community.



     The spokesman said, “All sectors of the community should not lower their guard, as the risk of rebound in the epidemic situation remains. The FEHD urges premises operators not to defy the law.”



     The FEHD and the Police yesterday inspected a total of seven catering premises (including five bars/pubs) during the joint operations, and the FEHD on its own inspected a total of 471 catering premises (including 19 bars/pubs) and 166 other premises in all districts. The FEHD initiated procedures on prosecution against operators of three catering premises in Mong Kok and Central and Western District and two bars/pubs in Mong Kok suspected of breaching the requirements under the directions. Also, pursuant to the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X), the FEHD initiated procedures on prosecution against a restaurant operator suspected for operating food business in places outside the approved areas delineated on the plan under the licence.



     The FEHD also required the premises to take corresponding measures for reducing the risk of transmission. Two bars/pubs and three other catering premises found with irregularities had to, on the subsequent day of being identified of the irregularities by the enforcement officers, cease selling or supplying food or drink for consumption on the premises from 6pm to 4.59am of the subsequent day, and allow no more than two persons to be seated together at one table for a period of three, seven or 14 days. In addition, the FEHD also issued fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to 11 persons in a catering premises in Central suspected of breaching the requirement of group gathering, and also to one customer suspected of breaching the requirement of scanning “LeaveHomeSafe” venue QR code in other catering premises.



     If a person responsible for carrying on a catering business contravenes the Regulation or the requirements and directions of the Vaccine Pass, he or she is liable to be prosecuted and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months. Persons who are present at catering premises or other specified premises must comply with directions applicable to them. Non-compliance with the relevant directions is an offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $10,000, or the liability may be discharged by paying a fixed penalty of $5,000. In addition, for customers in breach of the requirement on the maximum number of persons per table within catering premises, they are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for violating the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G). For persons not wearing a mask when they are not eating or drinking at a table therein, they are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for contravening the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I).



     Any licensee who carries on food business outside the licensed area is liable to be prosecuted for breaching section 34C of the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X) and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months.



     To minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the spokesman strongly appealed to all sectors of the community to stay vigilant and comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner. The FEHD has strengthened its publicity efforts and will continue to take stringent enforcement actions. All sectors are reminded to exercise self-discipline and co-operate to fight the virus together.