As Typhoon Warning Signal No. 8 is now in force, the Labour Department (LD) today (July 31) reminded employers to make work arrangements for staff during and after typhoons and rainstorms. In implementing the work arrangements, employers should give consideration as much as possible to the situations faced by individual employees, such as their place of residence and the road and traffic conditions in the vicinity, and adopt a sympathetic and flexible approach with due regard to their actual difficulties. Employers should also observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the relevant legislation.
 
     The LD has revised the "Code of Practice in Times of Typhoons and Rainstorms", which outlines the major principles, the framework, the reference guidelines and information on relevant legislation for reference in drawing up the work arrangements under adverse weather conditions. The booklet can be downloaded from the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf).

TV/Radio Announcers please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
 
      As Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above is now in force, the Hong Kong Wetland Park is closed. Any person or organisation who has paid a deposit for visiting today can contact the Park's ticket office for refund arrangements or to change the visit date.
 

     The Transport Department today (July 31) announced that the public services under the department, i.e. the Licensing Offices at Admiralty, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin, the Public Vehicles Unit, the Cross Boundary Unit, the Vehicle Examination Centres, the Driving Test Appointment Office, the Driving Test Centres and Written Test Centre, will be suspended as the No. 8 gale or storm signal is now in force.
      
     Candidates scheduled for driving test (including road test and written test) this afternoon will be individually informed of the alternative arrangements.

     Applicants who have made an appointment for renewal of a full driving licence/vehicle licence or application for an international driving permit at any timeslot before lowering of the No.8 gale or storm signal or within two hours after the lowering of the signal will have to reschedule the appointment by making a fresh application.

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Judiciary has announced that because of the issuing of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8, all hearings of the courts/tribunals are adjourned today (July 31). 

     Court/tribunal registries and offices are also closed until further notice.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:

     "The Social Welfare Department announces that as Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 has been issued, all welfare service units of the department, all child care centres, centres providing after school care programmes, elderly services centres and day rehabilitation units, including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres and day activity centres, are closed."