Hong Kong Prepares for Cold Weather: Elderly Urged to Take Precautions as Temperatures Drop

HKO and SCHSA remind public to get ready for winter

​The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) and the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association (SCHSA) held a joint press conference today (November 25) to remind the public to pay attention to the anticipated progressive temperature fall during the next couple of days and get prepared for winter.

The Acting Assistant Director of the HKO, Mr Cheng Yuen-chung, said at the press conference, "A cold front has formed over the northern part of southern China and is expected to move across the coast of Guangdong around midnight tonight. Under the continuous influence of the associated intense northeast monsoon and its replenishment, temperatures over Hong Kong will fall progressively with cool mornings and nights during the next couple of days. Temperatures on Thursday and Friday will fall to about 15 degrees in the urban areas, and a couple of degrees lower in the New Territories. The weather will be mainly fine and very dry with a rather large temperature difference between day and night. The public, especially the elderly, persons with chronic medical conditions, or those planning for outdoor activities, should pay attention to the changing weather and take appropriate precautions."

The Chief Executive Officer of the SCHSA, Ms Maura Wong, said, "The sudden drop in temperature may threaten the health of the elderly. During winter, the elderly may face an increased risk of falls due to reduced mobility, loss of muscle mass, and heavy clothing. Last winter, the SCHSA's 24/7 'Care-On-Call' Support Centre recorded an average monthly increase of over 10 per cent in requests for assistance related to falls compared to the previous year. In light of this, the SCHSA urges the elderly to take proactive measures by ensuring that they have adequate clothing and heating devices. It is also crucial to pay special attention to safety both at home and outdoors to avoid fall accidents. As the peak season for winter flu approaches, the SCHSA also encourages the elderly to get vaccinated as soon as possible to enhance their protection. If they feel unwell, they should seek medical advice or help through the 'Care-On-Call' service promptly. We should also take the initiative to show our care for the elderly, particularly elderly singletons and elderly doubletons, understand their current situations through home visits and phone calls, and provide timely assistance to safeguard their health and safety."

The public can obtain the latest weather forecast and the nine-day weather forecast via the HKO's Dial-a-Weather service at 1878 200, mobile app "MyObservatory", or through the HKO's website at the following links:

Weather forecast: www.weather.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/currwx/flw.htm

Nine-day weather forecast:www.weather.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/currwx/fnd.htm

HKO and SCHSA remind public to get ready for winter Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Housing Authority implements enhanced Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement in Public Housing Estates

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

A spokesman for the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) said today (November 25) that enhanced measures of the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement in Public Housing Estates (Marking Scheme) endorsed earlier will take effect on December 1, 2024.

The HA's Subsidised Housing Committee endorsed on July 19, 2024, the implementation of measures to enhance the Marking Scheme by adding three new misdeed items and widening the scope of two misdeed items.For the revised list of misdeeds under the Marking Scheme, please see the Annex.

The following three new misdeed items will be added:

1. "Feeding feral pigeons or other wild animals" with seven penalty points;

2. "Hanging or placing objects with potential risk of falling from height outside the window, balcony or façade (including canopy, air-conditioner hood and other projections)" with seven penalty points and the application of a warning system. Misdeed item A2 "Hanging floor mop outside the window or balcony" will be deleted as it will be incorporated into the new misdeed item; and

3. "Resisting or obstructing the Housing Authority (HA) or person(s) authorised by HA in execution of duties in accordance with the Housing Ordinance or other statutory requirements, or policies imposed by HA" with 15 penalty points.

The scope of the following two misdeed items will be widened:

1. "Dripping oil from exhaust fan" be amended to "Dripping oil from exhaust fan, range hood duct, etc"; and

2. "Obstructing corridors or stairs with sundry items rendering cleansing difficult" be amended to "Placing any sundry items, property, or objects in estate common areas (including but not limited to common areas inside or outside any buildings of the estate) that cause obstruction or render cleansing difficult".

With a view to rendering assistance to Owners' Corporations (OCs) of the Tenants Purchase Scheme (TPS) estates in daily management and meeting residents' aspiration for a decent living environment, all misdeed items under the Marking Scheme will be applicable to public rental housing (PRH) tenants in TPS estates.

The spokesman called on PRH residents to maintain domestic and estate environmental hygiene and avoid causing nuisance to other residents in estates."The HA will step up publicity on the revised Marking Scheme and remind PRH households that they should be public-spirited and empathetic to their neighbours and build a better community together," he said.