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The Housing Department (HD) has stepped up precautionary measures in public rental housing (PRH) estates to prevent the possible spread of human swine influenza.
Accompanied by the HD's Chief Manager/ Management (Support Services), Mr Sunny Ip Yu-sun, the Under Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Yau Shing-mu, visited Hoi Lai Estate in Sham Shui Po today (April 30) to see the enhanced measures.
"To safeguard our tenants from the threat of swine flu, the HD has put into place various measures, including requiring cleaning contractors to strengthen cleaning work," Mr Yau said.
Mr Ip explained that cleaning and disinfection with 1:99 diluted bleach is being done with increased frequency, as follows:
* security gates of domestic blocks - twice daily ;
* control panels of lifts/escalators - at least four times daily ;
* refuse rooms and common area - twice weekly ;
* playground equipments, recreational facilities - twice daily ;
* public toilets - at least four times daily ;
* all refuse/junk collection points - once daily;
Moreover, clearing rubbish on canopies, surface sewers and drainage systems are being done twice daily. Meanwhile, cleaning measures in the Housing Authority's commercial centres, markets and carparks have also been strengthened.
Mr Ip said that the HD would continue to deter environmental hygiene-related misdeeds through enforcement of the Marking Scheme for Estate Management in Public Housing Estate.
Mr Ip reminded tenants that under the marking scheme, three penalty points would be allotted to the household committing the misdeed of "putting dripping flower pots or dripping laundry on balconies"; five penalty points for "littering", and seven penalty points for "spitting in public areas". A tenancy would be terminated when 16 points or more are allotted within two years. He called on public housing tenants to maintain good personal hygiene habits by keeping their home and the estates clean.
"Estate hygiene is important to all public housing tenants regardless of whether the swine flu alert is on or not," Mr Yau stressed, adding that public education will be stepped up through displays on notice boards and messages on the Housing Channel in lift lobbies.
Mr Yau also paid a visit to an elderly centre in Hoi Lai Estate, showing care to the elderly there.
Ends/Thursday, April 30, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:41
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