NEWS

MANDARIN ORIENTAL NAMED BEST HOTEL IN HONG KONG

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 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 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. 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. 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.

POK FU LAM POISONINGS

INTERNATIONAL BRANDS CLOSE CENTRAL LOCATIONS

12 | SOUTHSIDE

mandarinoriental.com

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.

PROVET LAUNCHES TCM FOR PETS

Developed by 123-year-old leading Chinese medicine manufacturer Wai Yuen Tong, ProVet has released a line of herbal wellness supplements for pets, which are completely natural, preservative-free and tailor-made for cats and dogs of all ages and health needs. The supplements incorporate premium Chinese ingredients, from shiitake extract to immune-boosting cordyceps and lingzhi mushrooms, encapsulated in pet-friendly vegetarian capsules. Part of the proceeds will go to SPCA to fund shelters for abandoned animals. provet.wyt.com

in your backyard

HONG KONG DISNEYLAND AND OCEAN PARK CLOSE ONCE AGAIN

As the Covid-19 situation worsens in the city, theme parks Disneyland and Ocean Park have closed once again, just a month of reopening their doors to the public. While the parks remain closed, both hotels will continue operation as normal.

COOKIE SMILES LAUNCHES THE ‘LOVE 4 LUKE’ CAMPAIGN

Cookie Smiles, a social enterprise launched by Jo Soo-Tang and Agnes Chin, has launched the ‘Love 4 Luke’ campaign to support 12-year-old leukaemia patient Luke Inkin. Inkin is currently battling childhood leukaemia for the second time after a relapse. The nature of his diagnosis has changed from having cancer in only his bone marrow, to a more rare situation where the disease is in both his bone marrow and central nervous system. Cookie Smiles is now selling Pink Confetti Snaps for $200 per pack to raise funds for the Inkins’ ongoing medical costs, support therapy and travel expenses.

cookiesmiles.com.hk