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MANDARIN ORIENTAL NAMED BEST HOTEL IN HONG KONG Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong was the only hotel in the city that has made it onto Travel + Leisure’s list of Top 100 Hotels in the World this year. Mandarin Oriental came in at Number 57 on the annual list, tying with Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa. “We are immensely grateful for the support from all our valued guests, especially during this unprecedented period,” said Pierre Barthes, general manager and Area vice president at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. mandarinoriental.com
POK FU LAM POISONINGS Three dogs in the Pok Fu Lam area are suspected to have been poisoned with bait between July 12 and 14. A labrador, mongrel and Japanese Spitz had walked around Cyberport Waterfront Park and Victoria Road during the 72-hour period, before they experienced suspected poisoning symptoms and died. After numerous reports from worried residents, over 50 officers were deployed around the Pok Fu Lam area to search for the suspected bait and a toxicological report is
expected to be carried out to confirm the cause of the deaths. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) visited the area in question and assisted the police. In a post on the SPCA’s Facebook page, the animal charity reminded pet owners to observe surroundings closely, keep dogs on leash and muzzle them to prevent further incidents. Police have urged the public to report suspicious activity to officers at 3660 6611 or the SPCA inspectorate hotline at 2711 1100.
INTERNATIONAL BRANDS CLOSE CENTRAL LOCATIONS Ethical beauty brand Lush and clothing retailer Topshop are the latest to fall victim to increased financial pressures and tourism slump due to the coronavirus pandemic. Topshop will close it’s 14,000 square feet flagship store on Queen’s Road Central and bid farewell to Hong Kong when its lease expires in October. Lush, known for its fragrant handmade soaps and bath bombs, has
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closed its five-storey store on Lyndhurst Terrace but it’s other Hong Kong based locations remain open. The drop in tourist numbers in recent months has led to a great impact on retailers in Hong Kong. Gap has also announced it will close five of its eight shops in the city, while Victoria’s Secret abruptly closed its Causeway Bay flagship store in June.
NEW SCHOOL YEAR PUSHED BACK AS COVID-19 RAGES ON Many of Hong Kong’s international schools and kindergartens are just weeks away from reopening for the 2020/2021 school year. But with the city battling a third wave of the coronavirus, it was announced that the new school year will be delayed. Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said that schools would begin classes no earlier than August 17. Reopening dates will be announced in time, depending on the development of the pandemic.
