Special offers announced in celebration of 76th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China
To celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Government and different sectors of the community will launch a series of special offers and activities, covering the areas of public transport; culture, arts and leisure; as well as dining and consumption, to share the joy of National Day with the public.
For public transport, members of the public can enjoy free rides on all passenger tram routes and several ferry routes on October 1, with vouchers for certain ferry routes to be distributed in advance. The MTR will give away 76000 e-single journey tickets to the public through a lucky draw on that day. Moreover, children using designated payment methods can ride most daytime bus routes of KMB, Long Win Bus, Citybus and New Lantao Bus for free.
For culture, arts and leisure, all commercial cinemas will provide half-price discounts on movie tickets on October 1. The public will also be offered free admission that day to a number of fee-charging leisure facilities in sports venues and exhibitions in museums of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and to the Hong Kong Wetland Park under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Furthermore, additional free guided tours, dining, consumption and accommodation offers will be provided from mid-September to late October by the 14 projects under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme.
As for dining and consumption, over 1000 restaurants and merchants will provide dining offers on October 1, and several public markets under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will also roll out different offers. Moreover, members of the public can enjoy a 24 per cent discount when purchasing selected products at the "Local Fresh" physical store, online store or mobile app from October 1 to 7. The Environmental Protection Department will offer double GREEN$ Points to the public who recycle at its community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY on October 1.
In addition, Ngong Ping 360 and Ocean Park Hong Kong will offer ticket discounts, while Tai Kwun, the Peak Tram and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong will give out souvenirs to ticket holders on a first-come, first-served basis. The West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Science Park, over 100 shopping malls and several department stores, as well as organisations including the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, will also roll out shopping, dining, consumption or parking offers.
The Government thanks various sectors for actively responding to its call by launching special offers and activities to celebrate the 76th National Day with the public. Information about the offers and activities is available on the dedicated website (www.nationalday76.gov.hk). Relevant government departments and organisations will announce the details progressively in due course.
Source: AI-found images
CHP announces one new melioidosis case
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 16) announced that one new melioidosis case was recorded in the past week (January 9 to 15). The CHP appealed to members of the public to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent melioidosis. The CHP also specifically reminded high-risk groups, including the elderly and people with underlying diseases, to avoid contact with soil or muddy water after typhoons or storms with a view to lowering infection risk.
The case involves a 58-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Kwai Tsing District. He presented with a fever and vomiting since January 10, followed by confusion on the next day (January 11). He was then sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital and is currently in the intensive care unit in critical condition. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. His clinical sample was confirmed to be positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.
The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. Initial epidemiological investigations revealed that the case is sporadic. No epidemiological linkages have been established between this case and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.
As of yesterday (January 15), one melioidosis case has been recorded in Hong Kong this year. In 2025, 21 melioidosis cases were recorded.
Person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but the bacteria causing melioidosis can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong, and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year.
According to literature, melioidosis cases are more common after typhoons or rainstorms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or rainstorms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or rainstorms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.
With this in mind, where practicable, members of the public should stay indoors during typhoons and rainstorms, avoid travelling to areas with potential flooding, and not wade in or have contact with muddy water and soil. In addition, high-risk individuals should avoid paths near stormwater drains where aerosols may be generated from contaminated water.
Members of the public should also take the following preventive measures against infection:
Avoid contact with contaminated soil;
Wear appropriate protective clothing or footwear when participating in activities with possible contact with soil or water, e.g. using gloves and wearing boots. High-risk individuals may also consider wearing a surgical mask;
Wash or shower after exposure to contaminated water or soil;
Always clean any wounds as soon as possible and cover them with waterproof dressings;
Wash hands with liquid soap and water after handling soil or gardening;
Observe food hygiene and avoid drinking raw water; and
Travellers can contract the disease through outdoor water sports. Risk of infection can be minimised by avoiding exposure to water sources (such as rivers, ponds or lakes) that might be contaminated.
The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromising conditions, in order to receive an appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP atwww.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.
Source: AI-found images
