Press Releases

     In support of "Clean Hong Kong Day" today (May 10), senior government officials joined District Councillors and local organisations in a number of district activities, urging members of the community to maintain a clean and healthy environment in the fight to prevent pandemic disease.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, during a visit to inspect the cleaning operation in Sham Shui Po this morning, said to maintain personal, home and environmental hygiene, the full support of the community was of utmost importance apart from government efforts. 　　

     Mr Tang said: "Though we have just overcome the first hit by the human swine influenza, our efforts must not slacken. 'Clean Hong Kong Day' is only the beginning.  The continued participation by the public was the key to prevent pandemic discease."

     He said he was very pleased to see that members of the community and private organisations, whatever their scale, had rendered their full support, stepping up their cleaning operations.

     There were more than 80 activities during "Clean Hong Kong Day" today. Mr Tang expressed his gratitude to various District Councils and district personalities for their participation in the campaign.

     Mr Tang visited Pei Ho Street Market and Po On Road Market in Sham Shui Po this morning to show support for the stall operators who participated in the campaign. He also distributed pamphlets with health and cleaning advice and packs of anti-flu supplies to stall operators and local residents.

     Some other senior government officials also attended "Clean Hong Kong Day" activities in different districts to join hands with the community in the fight against pandemic.

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Miss Denise Yue, inspected the cleaning operation at the Kwun Lung Lau, a public housing estate under the Housing Society in Central and Western District. She also paid a visit to an 84-year old lady in the estate, helping her to clean up her housing unit. As today is the Mother's Day, Miss Yue took the opportunity to present a bouquet of flowers and a small gift to the elderly lady and send her warm wishes.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, joined the staff of the Social Welfare Department, District Councillors and volunteers in a tour to the Upper Ngau Tau Kok Estate to distribute household cleaning items to remind residents the importance of a clean and hygienic living environment. Mr Cheung visited two elder families to show them the proper way of using facemasks and hand sanitizer.

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, went to Shek Wu Hui Playground in Sheung Shui to inspect the street cleaning operation carried out by Food and Environmental Hygiene Department's (FEHD) workers there and the a nearby refuse collection point. He then helped distribute packs of anti-flu supplies and leaflets to the public.

     The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, joined the Chairman of Kwai Tsing District Council, Mr Tang Kwok-kong, and other council members to distribute anti-flu gift packs and leaflets to the public at the Tsing Yi Promenade and Maritime Square. They also helped a group of volunteers to clean up the recreational facilities at the promenade.

     The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, took part in "Clean Hong Kong Day – Keep Kowloon City Clean Against Pandemic" jointly organised by Kowloon City District Office, District Council and FEHD. Mr Yau arrived at the Kowloon City Municipal Services Building in Hau Wong Road and joined the pledging-in ceremony to show his support. He later went to Kowloon City Market with the District Councillors to help distribute preventive materials and leaflets against influenza pandemic to the public. He also inspected the clean-up operations carried out by FEHD staff at nearby streets and alleys.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, visited some telecommunications retail shops and service centres in Causeway Bay to encourage telecommunications operators to support the fight against pandemic and Clean Hong Kong action.  Mrs Lau was glad to learn that the operators actively supported the Government's appeal through enhancing the cleaning and disinfection of their shops and the public telephone booths.

     She noted that many sectors, including cinemas, shopping malls, convention and exhibition venues, the tourism trade and management companies of tourist spots, have also demonstrated support of the  "Clean Hong Kong" campaign by  implementing various measures to enhance the cleanliness of their shops and venues to safeguard the health of their customers, visitors and staff.

     In the afternoon, the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, took part in the "Clean Hong Kong Day – Wong Tai Sin District Community Pledge to Fight Against　Human Swine Influenza" in Wong Tai Sin Temple Court.

     As Hong Kong is facing the threat of infection by a new strain of
influenza, the professional and selfless contribution of frontline medical staff, voluntary support from community organisations, citizens' commitment to raising public health standards and the patience and understanding demonstrated by the public during difficult times are our powerful weapons to combat the pandemic," Mr Lee said. While distributing disinfectant packs to residents, Mr Lee urged the public to unite and vigorously participate in the battle against influenza infection.

     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, together with Yau Tsim Mong District Council Chairman Mr Chung Kong-mo and Vice-chairman Mr Edward Leung, distributed antiseptic cleanser, alcohol swabs and human swine influenza leaflets to shop owners and customers along Fa Yuen Street, Nelson Street and Sai Yee Street. Apart from giving encouragement, he also joined district councillors, area committee members and residents in cleaning the platform of a private building. Noting that continued participation by the whole community was the key to the success in the fight against human swine flu, Mr Tsang commended the District Council, district organisations and residents on their support and active participation.

     The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, went to Yuen Long to help disseminate the keep clean message. He first attended a health forum at the Yuen Long Town Hall Community Centre organised for ethnic minority residents, and then visited single, elderly tenants living in Tin Tsz Estate, Tin Shui Wai. Mr Lam reminded residents that good personal hygiene and a clean home and environment were vital to the prevention of influenza. He also distributed anti-flu supplies packs to the forum participants and the elderly residents, urging them to join hands with the community in the fight against flu.

     The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, visited Tin Yan Estate in Tin Shui Wai to solicit tenants’ cooperation in helping to keep their environment clean. She stressed that tenants' cooperation to keep the estates clean was crucial to the success of the stepped-up precautionary measures of the Housing Department in all public housing estates. Members of the Estate Management Advisory Committees from various regions also took part in 'Clean Hong Kong Day' programme today.

     Various District Councils and local organisations will hold a series of activities, including health seminars, cleaning of hygiene black spots and housing estates, publicity and promotion, today and in the next few weeks, to improve environmental hygiene in the districts, enhance public awareness and encourage community support.

Ends/Sunday, May 10, 2009

SCMA delivers "keep clean" message (1)

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, went to Yuen Long to help disseminate the "keep clean" message this (May 10) afternoon. Photo shows Mr Lam attending a health forum at the Yuen Long Town Hall Community Centre organised for ethnic minority residents.

SCMA delivers "keep clean" message (2)

Photo shows Mr Lam chatting with participants of the health forum for ethnic minority residents.

SCMA delivers "keep clean" message (3)

Photo shows Mr Lam distributing packs of anti-flu supplies to the forum participants.

SCMA delivers "keep clean" message (4)

Photo shows Mr Lam distributing an anti-flu supplies pack to an elderly resident at Tin Tsz Estate.