HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk and "iAM Smart" self-registration kiosk in Macao
The Digital Policy Office (DPO) announced today (December 29) the setting up of a Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk in Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao), enabling residents and enterprises in Macao to access public services of Hong Kong without the need to travel to Hong Kong in person.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been actively advancing the initiative of Cross-boundary Public Services. Following the installation of the self-service kiosks earlier in the nine Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the newly set up Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk in Macao provides a total of 70 public services from 14 Hong Kong government bureaux and departments as well as related organisations, encompassing areas commonly used by enterprises and the public. These include taxation, company registration, property and vehicle enquiry and registration, personal identification documents and talent admission applications, welfare and education, healthcare, immigration clearance, urgent assistance, culture and tourism as well as voter registration.
Starting today, the public can use the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk located at the Macao Government Services Centre to perform data entry, document scanning and result printing, enabling one-stop access for applying various public services of Hong Kong.
The opening hours of the self-service kiosk at the Macao Government Services Centre are 9am to noon and 1pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays in Macao). An "iAM Smart" self-registration kiosk is also set up at the Services Centre to enable Hong Kong residents working and living in Macao to register for "iAM Smart+" and directly access over 1 300 online services provided by the Government and public/private organisations and e-Forms through the "iAM Smart" mobile app. These include eMPF registration, renewal of vehicle licences, applications for International Driving Permits and eHealth registration.
The Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks and "iAM Smart" self-registration kiosks have fully covered the nine Mainland cities of the GBA and Macao. The DPO will continue to enhance the Cross-boundary Public Services, with a view to coping with the demands of residents and enterprises in the GBA for Hong Kong public services.
For details, please visit the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services website at www.crossboundaryservices.gov.hk/en/home/index.html and the "iAM Smart" website at www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html.
HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk and "iAM Smart" self-registration kiosk in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk and "iAM Smart" self-registration kiosk in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk and "iAM Smart" self-registration kiosk in Macao Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that as of 5pm today (December 28), the CHP has recorded one new imported case of chikungunya fever (CF).
Latest case information
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The case involves a 35-year-old female living in Kwai Tsing District. A preliminary investigation revealed that she joined a package tour to Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province with family members from December 20 to 21, and had suffered mosquito bites in rural areas there. She developed joint pain on December 25, followed by rash on the following day, and a fever yesterday (December 27). She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital on the same day and was admitted for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. She is now in stable condition. Her blood sample tested positive for the chikungunya virus upon laboratory testing.
The patient has three household contacts, who joined the same package tour to Zhaoqing. They are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.The CHP will proactively contact the remaining 39 individuals who joined the same package tour, and provide health advice and medical surveillance to them.
An epidemiological investigation showed that her residenceand usual activity areas do not overlap with those among imported or local cases recorded inthe pastmonth.She did not visit the Tsing Yi Nature Trails during the incubation period either. As the patient visited Guangdong Province during the incubation period, and no epidemiological linkages have been established between thecase and other cases recorded in Hong Kongin the past month, the CHP considered that the case was infected duringhertravel. The caseisclassified as imported. The CHPwillreport the cases to the health authority of Guangdong Province.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases this year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Government's comprehensive follow-up actions
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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, the CHP appeals 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. Since the confirmation on December 10 of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, no further local cases have been recorded to date. 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), which operates from 9am to 6pm.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. 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 cause 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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The FEHD and 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
