CE inspects radiation screening facilities (with photos/video)

CE inspects radiation screening facilities (with photos/video)
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     The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang today (March 16) inspected the radiation screening facilities at the airport for travellers and fresh food from Japan and visited the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) to keep abreast of local radiation level monitoring work.

     The visit started at the "health desk" for passengers from Japan in the restricted area of the Hong Kong International Airport arrivals hall. Starting from noon today, passengers from Japan, especially those who have stayed in the vicinity of the northeastern part of Honshu in the past few days, may ask for a check-up at the health desk on a voluntary basis if they feel unwell.

     The health desk is operated by staff of the Auxiliary Medical Services with the assistance of the Department of Health. Fire Services Department staff will provide decontamination services for passengers suspected to be contaminated and refer them to hospital for further treatment if necessary.

     At the Airport Food Inspection Office under the Centre for Food Safety, the Chief Executive was briefed on the screening process for imported fresh food for contamination. All the fresh food from Japan, including milk, vegetables, fruits, meat and aquatic products, will be screened. Food items suspected to be contaminated will be passed to the Government Laboratory for further testing.

     Mr Tsang's last stop was HKO. He was briefed on the monitoring of local radiation levels following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. He also inspected the seismological facilities.

     The HKO said that Hong Kong is safe and has not been affected by the incidents in Japan in terms of radiation level.

     Mr Tsang noted that HKO took more air samples than they did normally and increased the frequency of the release of information on Hong Kong's radiation levels to once every hour to put the minds of Hong Kong people at ease.

     "We understand the public anxiety about the nuclear incidents in Japan. The Government has already strengthened scrutiny on travellers, food and air condition and has not detected any abnormality.

     "Various government departments have taken contingency measures to ensure public safety. I believe that members of the public will appreciate their hard work and professionalism," Mr Tsang said.

Ends/Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:55

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