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the soles. They are also observable in the mouth or on the hands. If we only focus on the soles and neglect the hands and mouth when looking for the symptoms, we may not be able to detect the disease.
As to whether drinking fountains will spread this disease, Mr. Chairman, I have never heard that they can be agents for transmission. This is because when you press the knob of the drinking fountain, a water jet automatically comes out, and I do not think the children need to suck the tap. I believe if the children are accompanied by the adults, they are certainly not allowed to do so. In fact, it is not easy for the children to suck a tap. I do not think parents will teach their children to drink water in this manner.
Regarding towels served before meals, Mr. Chairman, we have a set of criteria for disinfecting. Licensees are not only required to disinfect the towels but also to heat up the disinfected towels to a certain temperature in a disinfector before serving the customers. If restaurant operators fail to meet the criteria, demerit points will be recorded according to the licensing conditions. Besides, appropriate measures will also be taken to deal with the matter.
As for drinking water or distilled water served before meals, it is required that they must be pure and clean. Restaurants which fail to meet our hygiene standard will certainly be warned or prosecuted.
As to whether a paper on this issue is needed for deliberation, Mr. Chairman, if there is really such a need, we may ask the Department or the DH to prepare it.
MR. WONG KWOK-HING (in Cantonese):-I would like to follow up the reply of the Chairman of the PH S/C. I would like to clarify that visual inspection does not refer to the inspection of the soles or the balls. It refers to observing whether the skin of the children has been covered up to conceal the symptoms of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. I hope the Chairman of the PH S/C will follow up this at the meeting of the Committee.
As for keeping a stock of balls in reserve, it is not stipulated in the current licensing conditions. But the Council venues have stocks of balls in reserve. We can also, by giving advice or other means, urge privately run playrooms to keep a stock of spare balls in reserve. In fact, any measures which can ensure public safety should be considered by the Council. I hope Mr. Chan will consider this or at least bring the matter to the PH S/C.
Regarding drinking fountains, if they are used properly, the problem mentioned by Mr. CHAN will not arise. What I would like to point out is that some children may not understand or pay attention to the proper use of drinking fountains. Therefore, I hope that some notices can be put up near the fountains to draw the public's attention. Mr. CHAN, could you ask the Department to submit a paper on this?
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Page 461
Page 460 of 606
604
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
the soles. They are also observable in the mouth or on the hands. If we only focus on the soles and neglect the hands and mouth when looking for the symptoms, we may not be able to detect the disease.
As to whether drinking fountains will spread this disease, Mr. Chairman, I have never heard that they can be agents for transmission. This is because when you press the knob of the drinking fountain, a water jet automatically comes out, and I do not think the children need to suck the tap. I believe if the children are accompanied by the adults, they are certainly not allowed to do so. In fact, it is not easy for the children to suck a tap. I do not think parents will teach their children to drink water in this manner.
Regarding towels served before meals, Mr. Chairman, we have a set of criteria for disinfecting. Licensees are not only required to disinfect the towels but also to heat up the disinfected towels to a certain temperature in a disinfector before serving the customers. If restaurant operators fail to meet the criteria, demerit points will be recorded according to the licensing conditions. Besides, appropriate measures will also be taken to deal with the matter.
As for drinking water or distilled water served before meals, it is required that they must be pure and clean. Restaurants which fail to meet our hygiene standard will certainly be warned or prosecuted.
As to whether a paper on this issue is needed for deliberation, Mr. Chairman, if there is really such a need, we may ask the Department or the DH to prepare it.
MR. WONG KWOK-HING (in Cantonese):-I would like to follow up the reply of the Chairman of the PH S/C. I would like to clarify that visual inspection does not refer to the inspection of the soles or the balls. It refers to observing whether the skin of the children has been covered up to conceal the symptoms of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. I hope the Chairman of the PH S/C will follow up this at the meeting of the Committee.
As for keeping a stock of balls in reserve, it is not stipulated in the current licensing conditions. But the Council venues have stocks of balls in reserve. We can also, by giving advice or other means, urge privately run playrooms to keep a stock of spare balls in reserve. In fact, any measures which can ensure public safety should be considered by the Council. I hope Mr. Chan will consider this or at least bring the matter to the PH S/C.
Regarding drinking fountains, if they are used properly, the problem mentioned by Mr. CHAN will not arise. What I would like to point out is that some children may not understand or pay attention to the proper use of drinking fountains. Therefore, I hope that some notices can be put up near the fountains to draw the public's attention. Mr. CHAN, could you ask the Department to submit a paper on this?
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