Press Releases
Personal, home and environmental hygiene are key to fighting pandemic threat
In view of the growing global prevalence of the human swine influenza
(Influenza A H1N1) as well as the occurrence of an imported case in Hong
Kong about a week ago, the Government has called on the public to pay extra
attention to personal, home and environmental hygiene.
A Government spokesman said today (May 8) that good personal, home and
environmental hygiene are the key to fighting the threat of a pandemic.
Therefore, the promotion of individual and community-wide involvement in
keeping to the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene would be the
first line of prevention against disease outbreak.
To call for proactive community-wide action, a guide to personal, home and
environmental hygiene "Keep Clean, Be Healthy" has been produced. The
booklets will be sent to all households by Hong Kong Post starting next
Monday (May 11).
The spokesman noted that the Government had put in place stringent measures
to contain the spread of the disease, but the task could not be done without
the fullest support of the community on hygiene and cleanliness.
"Promoting a cleaner and healthier living environment can only be achieved
by the observance of good personal, household and public hygiene," he said.
With the joint efforts of the Government, District Councils,
non-governmental organisations and various business associations, a wide
variety of clean Hong Kong activities have already commenced to promote a
clean and healthy environment while fighting against the pandemic threat.
These include activities organised by the 18 District Councils to appeal for
enhanced cleaning of public areas, rear lanes, as well as private buildings
involving owners' corporations and mutual aid committees.
"We are highly encouraged by the actions which are planned or have been
taken by private companies and public utilities in ensuring that public
transport vehicles, shopping malls, work sites, cinemas and restaurants are
properly cleaned and disinfected," the spokesman said.
On the part of the Government, various government departments have already
enhanced the cleaning of the venues and premises under their purview. The
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has stepped up the cleaning of
streets and roads, public markets, public toilets, etc. The Housing
Department has increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfection at
public rental housing estates and encouraged members of Estate Management
Advisory Committees to participate in the hygiene campaigns. The Lands
Department has undertaken a programme to maintain cleanliness and cut grass
on all vacant government sites. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department
has enhanced the cleanliness of parks, sports centres and public libraries,
while the Home Affairs Department has raised the frequency of cleaning at
community halls/ community centres and public enquiry service centres.
Among these activities, many will be held on May 10 (Sunday) to focus the
participation by various sectors and the community as a whole. As May 10 is
also "Mother's Day", a day for family gathering, it is also a good occasion
for participation by the whole family in this meaningful exercise.
The Clean Hong Kong efforts must be a sustained process. The Government, the
District Councils and non-governmental bodies will, in the weeks and months
ahead, continue to raise public awareness and organise various activities to
keep the environment clean and facilitate the building of a habit of good
personal and environmental hygiene.
Ends/Friday, May 8, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:43
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