XN000022-1993-07-20 — Page 6

5

TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1993

1

ON THE LICENSING OF HOTELS, MR LO STRESSED THAT LIKE TOURIST GUESTHOUSES, HOTELS WERE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A LICENCE BY SEPTEMBER TO ENABLE THEM TO CONTINUE THEIR BUSINESS.

HE ADDED THAT HOTELS WERE SUBJECT TO THE SAME FIRE AND BUILDING SAFETY CRITERIA UNDER THE LAW.

FURTHERMORE, HE SAID MOST OF THE HOTELS WERE PURPOSE-BUILT WITH THEIR FIRE AND BUILDING SAFETY STANDARDS IN LINE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE AUTHORITIES AT THE TIME OF CONSTRUCTION.

SAID.

THIS. HOWEVER, WAS NOT THE CASE FOR TOURIST GUESTHOUSES, HE

STRESSING THAT SAFETY OF LODGERS SHOULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION IN THE LICENSING CONTROLS ON TOURIST GUESTHOUSES, MR LO SAID ANY TRAGEDIES IN THESE PREMISES WOULD TARNISH THE TERRITORY'8 IMAGE AS A TOURIST CENTRE.

HE REMINDED THE GUESTHOUSE OPERATORS OF THE URGENCY TO HAVE THE NECESSARY IMPROVEMENT WORKS COMPLETED BY THE END OF AUGUST AS THE EXEMPTION PERIOD WOULD EXPIRE BY THEN.

THOSE ADOPTING A "WAIT-AND-SEE" ATTITUDE SHOULD NOTE THAT THEY HAVE ONLY ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO COMPLY WITH THE LICENSING CONDITIONS, HE ADDED.

UNDER THE HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE ACCOMMODATION ORDINANCE ENACTED IN 1991, ANYONE WHO OPERATES A GUESTHOUSE WITHOUT A VALID CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION OR A LICENCE COMMITS AN OFFENCE.

THE OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS, AND TO A FURTHER FINE FOR EACH DAY DURING WHICH THE OFFENCE CONTINUES.

OF

OF

$200,000 $20,000

"OPERATORS WHO ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES IN CARRYING NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE OFFICE OF AUTHORITY WHOSE STAFF WILL BE PLEASED TO ADVISE, " HE SAID.

OUT THE LICENSING

0

HEALTH CARE PROPOSALS FURTHER EXPLAINED

THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, HAS REITERATED THAT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED CONSULTATION DOCUMENT TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH ARE AIMED AT ACHIEVING EQUITY IN ACCESS TO CARE AND PROVIDING BETTER CHOICE AND BETTER CONSUMER PROTECTION THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

IN

ABOUT

IT Is NOT A PROPOSAL FOR FEE INCREASES, BUT IS RATIONALISING THE FEE STRUCTURE OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVİCES AND OFFERING POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR CHANGE FOR THE BETTER, SHE ADDED.

/MRS WONG