Officials say radiation has not reached the city, adding there is no cause for panic

Government officials maintained concerted efforts Friday to dispel panic over the Japanese nuclear crisis, while working quickly to bring home citizens from the stricken country.

Under Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok assured the public at a news conference that Hong Kong remains unaffected by radiation from badly damaged Japanese reactors.

He noted there are ample food supplies, and that there is no reason for consumers to stockpile infant formula and salt, both of which had been the targets of panic buying.

"We urge people stay calm. There is no need to stockpile salt or rice now. Hong Kong is not affected by the radiation. People should not over-react to inaccurate information published on the Internet," said Lai.

A 25-member team including volunteers from the Hong Kong immigration, police and fire departments arrived in Tokyo around mid-day Friday to help repatriate Hong Kong people unable to get out of the stricken country. The team will set up a temporary office at the Shinjuku Keio Plaza Hotel to help Hong Kong citizens to arrange transportation to Tokyo's Narita airport and flights home.

Lai also urged that Hong Kong residents in the north of Japan to leave now or move to the south of the country.

"The Fukushima nuclear incident remains stern," Lai told a joint news conference. "If the incident deteriorates quickly, it will be difficult for them to leave Tokyo and so I call on them to consider leaving Tokyo or move to the southern parts of Japan."

Some Hong Kong citizens have chosen to remain in Japan, nevertheless.

Two additional flights were arranged to bring back Hong Kong citizens from Narita airport Friday night.

For the next three days, an extra flight will be arranged at 9:50 pm each day.

Hong Kong Travel Industry Council also decided to cancel all Japan package tours until April 15 after discussion with member agencies.

As all the Japan arrivals over the past few days who volunteered the radiation screening were found to have no problem, the government will not introduce a mandatory screening for the time being.

Hong Kong residents who need to stay in Tokyo are encouraged to pay attention to announcements by the local government and strongly advised to register their telephone numbers, email addresses and local addresses with the Immigration Department via 1868@immd.gov.hk.

The Centre for Food Safety has been checking imported food from Japan since March 12, said Under Secretary for Food and Health Gabriel Leung, and all the 151 lots of food were found in normal condition.

Saying the supply of food to Hong Kong is stable, he asked the citizens not to panic. A total of 9,193 boxes (each containing 6-8 tins) of milk powder were delivered from Japan Friday.

Since supply of milk powder from Japan may become strained, parents should consider using other brands, knowing different brands of milk powder are more or less the same, he said.

China Daily

(HK Edition 03/19/2011 page1)