XN000022-1988-12-08 — Page 17

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1988

NEW LAW EFFECTS VOLUNTARY CLOSURE OF 101 UNLICENSED FOOD PREMISES

A TOTAL OF 101 UNLICENSED FOOD PREMISES IN THE URBAN AREAS HAVE CEASED OPERATION AFTER THE "NEW" CLOSURE ORDER LEGISLATION AGAINST UNLICENSED FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS TOOK EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1.

"THIS SHOWS AN OVERALL DECREASE OF ABOUT 17.6 PER CENT IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS, AND THE NUMBER OF UNLICENSED FOOD PREMISES IS NOW ESTIMATED AT AROUND 470," THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE URBAN SERVICES, MR TSE TAK-KAN, SAID TODAY.

"OF THE 101 SHUTDOWN FOOD PREMISES, 60 WERE GENERAL RESTAURANTS AND 41 WERE FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS OTHER THAN RESTAURANTS.

"THEY ALSO INCLUDE 19 ILLEGAL FOOD PREMISES WHICH HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE MOST SERIOUS CASES AND THE FIRST BATCH TO BE DEALT WITH UNDER THE NEW 'CLOSURE ORDER' LEGISLATION.

"WE BELIEVE THIS SIGNIFICANT DROP IS ATTRIBUTED MAINLY то THE COMING INTO FORCE OF THE NEW LEGISLATION, WHICH HAS GRADUALLY FULFILLED ITS INTENDED PURPOSE OF PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.

"OUR NEXT STEP NOW IS ΤΟ SHUT ANOTHER 40 ILLEGAL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CLOSURE ORDER ACTION AND THE MORE SERIOUS CASES WILL AGAIN BE DEALT WITH FIRST," SAID MR. TSE.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT)(NO, ORDINANCE, CAP. 132, WHICH CAME INTO FORCE LAST OCTOBER, IS FURTHER SAFEGUARDING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. IT EMPOWERS COUNCIL TO APPLY TO THE COURT FOR A CLOSURE ORDER TO LOOK PERSISTENTLY OFFENDING UNLICENSED FOOD PREMISES OR VESSELS.

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AIMED AT THE URBAN AND SEAL

UNDER THE NEW PROCEDURE, A CLOSURE ORDER MAY BE FOLLOWING THE BREACH OF A PROHIBITION ORDER.

MADE

WHEN

APPLICATION FOR A PROHIBITION ORDER IS MADE TO THE COURT THE OPERATORS OF UNLICENSED FOOD PREMISES HAVE BEEN CONVICTED FOR CONTINUING WITH ILLEGAL FOOD BUSINESSES.

ANY PERSON WHO ENTERS OR REMAINS IN ANY PREMISES UNDER A CLOSURE ORDER WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $60 000 AND 12 MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT PLUS A DAILY FINE OF $1 000.

UPON THE COMING INTO FORCE OF A CLOSURE ORDER, THE COUNCIL MAY DISCONNECT ALL WATER, GAS AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES AND RECOVER THE COST OF SUCH DISCONNECTION WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE LEGISLATION.

THE COUNCIL MAY ALSO TAKE POSSESSION OF ANY FOOD, ARTICLE OR THING WHICH IS LIKELY TO CREATE A FIRE HAZARD OR CONSTITUTE A DANGER TO LIFE OR HEALTH IF LEFT IN OR ON THE PREMISES.

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