The Town Planning Board (TPB) announced today (February 22) that the Chief Executive in Council (CE in C) has referred two approved outline zoning plans (OZPs) to the TPB for amendment to reflect the latest land use proposals in the Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau as well as Ma On Shan areas.

     Each OZP incorporating the respective amendments will be exhibited for public inspection under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance.

     The Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau OZP was last approved by the CE in C in August 2018 and the Ma On Shan OZP was last approved in January 2016.

     The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Siu Ho Wan Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     "The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide developments in Siu Ho Wan," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (February 22).

     The planning scheme area covers an area of about 186 hectares located to the east of the Tung Chung New Town Extension area at the northern shore of Lantau Island. The area stretches from Sham Shui Kok in the northeast to the proposed Tai Ho Interchange in the southwest, and is enclosed by the Lantau North (Extension) Country Park in the east and south.

     About 15.54 hectares of the land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community". This zone is intended primarily for provision of government, institution or community facilities serving the needs of the local residents and/or a wider district, region or the territory.

     Land designated for specific uses including "Railway Depot and Public Transport Interchange with Commercial/Residential Development", "Water Treatment Works", "Sewage Treatment Works", "Organic Resources Recovery Centre", "Refuse Transfer Station", "Columbarium" and "Pumping Station and Associated Facilities", totalling about 63.6 hectares, is zoned "Other Specified Uses".

     About 68.04 hectares of the land is zoned "Green Belt". It is intended to define the limits of urban and sub-urban development areas by natural features and to contain urban sprawl as well as to provide passive recreational outlets.

     The approved OZP No. S/I-SHW/2 is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department in North Point and Sha Tin, the Sai Kung and Islands District Planning Office, the Islands District Office and its sub-offices in Mui Wo and Tung Chung, and the Tsuen Wan District Office.

     Copies of the approved plan are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed at the Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).

     The Transport Department (TD) today (February 22) reminded the public that to facilitate work for the Central-Wan Chai Bypass (CWB), the following temporary traffic arrangements will be implemented at a section of the Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) westbound near North Point and the CWB this Sunday (February 24) at the times specified below:

From midnight to 7am
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     All lanes of the CWB westbound tunnel tube and the slip road connecting the Tsing Fung Street entrance and the CWB tunnel will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic.

From 1.30am to 5.30am
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     All lanes of the IEC westbound between Man Hong Street Slip Road and Tsing Fung Street Flyover (including the entrance of the CWB westbound), the slip road connecting King's Road westbound near Healthy Street Central and the IEC westbound, and the slip road connecting Tong Shui Road northbound and the IEC westbound will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be erected on-site to guide motorists. Motorists are advised to drive with care. They may also consider using alternative routes.

     Details of the temporary traffic arrangements are now available on the department's website (www.td.gov.hk).

     The Transport Department (TD) today (February 22) reminded members of the public that to facilitate road repair work, part of the slow lane of the road section leading from the Hong Kong exit of the Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC) to North Point will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic from 9pm tomorrow (February 23) to 9am on the next day (February 24). Motorists can still use the remaining traffic lane to North Point.
 
     During the implementation of the above temporary traffic arrangement, the speed limit of the EHC (Hong Kong bound) will be temporarily reduced from 70 kilometres per hour to 50 km/h.
 
     Due to the lane closure, the TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of the EHC (Hong Kong bound) will be relatively busy during the above period. Motorists passing through the affected road section should exercise patience and drive with utmost care, and plan their journeys in advance to allow more travelling time to avoid unexpected delay. Appropriate traffic signs will be erected on-site to guide motorists.
 
     The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Members of the public are advised to stay alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television.
 
     Details of the temporary traffic arrangements are now available on the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk).
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Influenza A in a female ward for severe intellectual disability, the spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital gave the following update today (February 22):
 
     One more 55-year-old patient in the ward presented with respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patient and the test results were positive for Influenza A. The patient concerned is being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.