The Hong Kong Observatory issued No. 8 Northeast Gale or Storm Signal at 11.10pm yesterday (November 13).
 
     The Home Affairs Department has so far opened 27 temporary shelters in various districts and 107 people have sought refuge at the shelters.
 
     As at 6am today (November 14), the Government's 1823 Call Centre and the Fire Services Department received one report and two reports of fallen trees respectively. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has not received any reports of fallen trees. No report of landslide or flooding has been received so far.
 
     According to the Hospital Authority, as at 6am today, one woman has sought medical treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department at a public hospital during the typhoon period.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hospital Authority (HA) announces that as the Hong Kong Observatory has issued Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8, its general out-patient clinics, specialist out-patient clinics, allied health and ambulatory services have been suspended. Outpatients are advised to make a new appointment after the cancellation of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8.
      
     Service of Accident & Emergency Department of public hospitals remains normal.

     The HA had made preparations to cope with the adverse weather conditions and had taken proper typhoon and flooding precautionary measures in public hospitals. Hospital staff will closely monitor high-risk locations to facilitate prompt responses towards the adverse conditions. The HA will maintain close contacts with relevant government departments. If necessary, additional manpower will be deployed to cope with emergency situations.

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
     The Judiciary has announced that as the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.8 was still in force at 6am, all hearings of the courts and tribunals will be adjourned this morning (November 14).

     Hearings will remain adjourned this afternoon if the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 is still in force at or after 11am.

     Court/tribunal registries and offices are closed until further notice. Court users may continue to use the integrated Court Case Management System (iCMS) for electronic services provided by the registries of the District Court, Magistrates' Courts and Small Claims Tribunal as usual. Any documents filed via the iCMS during the registries' closure period will be deemed to have been received upon their reopening.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations

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

     The Immigration Department announces that when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above is in force, services at the Immigration Headquarters and all Branch Offices, Registration of Persons Offices, and Births, Deaths and Marriage Registries are temporarily suspended.

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 or above is now hoisted, all welfare service units of the department, child care centres, centres providing after school care programmes, elderly services centres and day rehabilitation units including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres, integrated vocational training centres and day activity centres will not open to the public. After the No. 8 signal is cancelled, the units will resume normal operation in two hours, if the weather and conditions permit."