Press Releases
SFH on earthquake in Japan
Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a media session after
attending the meeting of Legislative Council Panel on Health Services today
(March 14):
Reporter: (about the contingency measures regarding the radiation leak in
Japan)
Secretary for Food and Health: We have a contingency plan for any nuclear
crisis that will affect Hong Kong. This is based on the Daya Bay nuclear
plant. So far the Hong Kong Observatory has not detected any increase in
radiation in Hong Kong. We are more concerned about people who are close to
the leakage and nuclear plant in the northeastern part of Japan. People who
might still be there and have any doubt can always go to the Accident and
Emergency Department of public hospitals after returning Hong Kong. We can
do a check up on them to see whether they are affected by any radiation.
Reporter: As a doctor yourself, so many tourists are still insisting on
going to Japan; would you advise them not to go to Japan at this stage?
Secretary for Food and Health: The Government has issued a black travel
alert to (Fukushima Prefecture), so it is not advisable for anyone to go
there. For any other part of Japan that is far away from the affected area,
of course that depends on whether they have business and urgent
responsibilities there, otherwise I would advise the tourists to perhaps
postpone their trips until a bit later. For Hong Kong people who are there
right now, including some media reporters, they need to look after
themselves well, and not get too close to the affected areas.
Reporter: Is it safe for Hong Kong people to purchase Japanese food items?
Has the Government been monitoring the situation?
Secretary for Food and Health: As far as radiation is concerned, I think the
most at-risk articles are those fresh products, perhaps dairy products,
fresh fruits and vegetables. As I said, we are monitoring the situation and
also doing the checking at the importation venues to ascertain that they
have not been affected. In case we detect anything, of course we will ban
those products from Hong Kong.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, March 14, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:43
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