New arrangement on queue ticketing for direct issue of Hong Kong Full Driving Licence/Temporary Driving Licence from August 13
The Transport Department (TD) announced today (August 8) that new queue ticketing requirements will be imposed on agents submitting applications for the direct issue of Hong Kong Full Driving Licence/Temporary Driving Licence at the Hong Kong Licensing Office (HKLO) at United Centre, Admiralty, starting from August 13, ensuring fair use by the public.
Currently, applicants for "direct issue" may submit application documents at the counter via making online appointments or obtaining same-day queue tickets at the HKLO. To combat soliciting activities for agent services and disruption of public order after obtaining queue tickets, from August 13, apart from inputting the first four digits/letters of their identification document (ID) number (e.g. K123) into the queue ticketing system, all agents appointed to submit "direct issue" applications are also required to input the ID number of each of the respective applicants when obtaining a ticket. Such information will be printed on the ticket. When using counter services, counter staff will verify the ID numbers of both the ticket holder and the applicant(s) entered. If any information does not match that printed on the ticket, the ticket will be voided. All applications concerned will not be processed, and no replacement tickets will be issued.
A spokesman for the TD said, "We have been very concerned about the queue ticketing situation at Licensing Offices and online appointments for counter services, and have adopted targeted measures to ensure licensing services are used by members of the public in need in a fair and orderly manner. The HKLO has further stepped up staff patrols to maintain the queuing order, specified the sequence of tickets for 'direct issue' on the queue barriers to prevent queue-jumping, and enhanced the queue ticketing system to strengthen verification of queuers' identity to curb the transfer of tickets. The new arrangement aims to further deter individuals from soliciting business with tickets obtained. Any acts disrupting public order will be reported to the Police for follow-up."
In addition, the TD will strengthen co-operation with relevant issuing authorities of driving licences and plans to check applicants' information in relation to Mainland driving licences provided via online appointments starting from September. If any information is found to be untrue, the relevant appointments will be cancelled, and such quotas will be reopened for appointment by other applicants, thereby enhancing the effective operation of the system.
The TD will introduce the new arrangement to the public through on-site notices and staff, the website and social media, keep reviewing the effectiveness of the measures, and make timely adjustments. It will continue to promote digitalisation of licensing services so that more counters can be redeployed for processing applications necessitating handling at the counter, such as the "direct issue". As for general driving licensing-related counter services, their queue ticketing arrangements remain unchanged.
Source: AI-found images
Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (December 13), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 79 confirmed CF cases this year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area, the trails are currently closed until further notice. As the CHP and the relevant government departments are conducting large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, the CHP continues to appeal to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations.
Government's comprehensive follow-up actions
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The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373). All doctors and hospitals in Hong Kong should closely monitor whether their patients present with compatible symptoms and arrange blood tests for those concerned. The CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch will provide free testing services.
Specifically targeting confirmed cases who visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the hiking trails. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could bring stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts, to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.
Continuously strengthening prevention and control
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TheFEHDand relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July this year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
Preventive measures taken by the public
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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
