Hong Kong Customs holds inaugural ceremony of second term of Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Sector Advisory Group
Hong Kong Customs today (October 14) held the inaugural ceremony of the second term of the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Sector Advisory Group at the Customs Headquarters Building. The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, officiated at the ceremony and presented appointment certificates to 17 non-official members from the precious metals and stone industry.
The Advisory Group is a non-statutory body comprising official members from Customs and non-official members from the industry, with a view to providing both sides with a platform for exchanging views on the registration regime for precious metals and stone dealers. Customs can also keep better tabs on the industry to push ahead with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing work.
Mr Chan expressed gratitude to members of the Advisory Group for their continuous support, saying that the regulatory regime for dealers in precious metals and stones has been widely accepted by the industry since its implementation, indicating a mutual commitment to compliance within the industry. Customs will continue to collaborate with the new-term Advisory Group in strengthening the compliance awareness of the industry, combating anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, and propelling Hong Kong into an international gold trading market by establishing a transparent, robust and internationally aligned regulatory system, thereby strengthening Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre.
According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs. For details on the registration regime, please visit the website (www.drs.customs.gov.hk).
Hong Kong Customs holds inaugural ceremony of second term of Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Sector Advisory Group Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds inaugural ceremony of second term of Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Sector Advisory Group Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds inaugural ceremony of second term of Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Sector Advisory Group Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH announces latest situation of Legionnaires' disease cases
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 8) reported the latest number of Legionnaires' disease (LD) cases, and reminded the public of the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
From November 30 to December 6, the CHP recorded four community-acquired and one imported LD cases. All five patients had underlying illnesses.
Community-acquired cases
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- a 69-year-old male patient living in Eastern District;
- a 45-year-old female patient living in Eastern District;
- a 90-year-old male patient living in Kowloon City District; and
- a 73-year-old male patient living in Kwun Tong District.
Imported case
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- a 77-year-old male patient who travelled to the Chinese Mainland during the incubation period.
The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations to identify potential sources of infection and high-risk exposure. Initial investigations revealed that these are sporadic cases. No epidemiological linkages have been established between these five cases and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.
As of December 6, 156 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2024 and 2023, there were 135 and 121 LD cases respectively.
Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels.
Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
Immunocompromised persons should:
- Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
- Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices; and
- If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.
The public should observe the health advice below:
- Observe personal hygiene;
- Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
- Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
- If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
- Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
- Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
- Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
- When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:
- Wear gloves and a face mask;
- Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
- Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
- Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
- Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.
The public may visit the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.
Source: AI-found images
