While Super Typhoon Mangkhut is departing Hong Kong, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, yesterday (September 16) expressed her gratitude to personnel who, during the passage of the typhoon, provided rescue and other emergency services, handled emergencies and maintained necessary public services to members of the public, jointly minimising the impact of the typhoon on the city.
      
     "All personnel of disciplinary forces, various auxiliary services, the Hong Kong Observatory, all relevant departments as well as organisations and contractors which provide public services stayed committed to their work during inclement weather. Whether in the front line, back office or on standby to handle various emergencies, they served members of the public, protected their lives and property, and ensured public safety with professionalism and selflessness. Members of the press also discharged their duties well by providing the latest updates on the typhoon and reported the latest situation on the streets to members of the public. I, on behalf of the people of Hong Kong, would like to express to them heartfelt thanks," Mrs Lam said.
      
     "The magnitude of Mangkhut rendered more than 200 people, including rescue personnel, injured (of which the majority sustained minor injuries and did not need to be admitted to hospitals) and caused more than 60 flooding cases (in which only seven were serious cases), damaging a number of homes, shops and buildings. Electricity and water supply were affected in individual places. My sympathies to all those who were affected and wished the injured people and rescue personnel a speedy recovery. As bad weather may last for some time and the damage caused by Mangkhut may not be fully apparent, people are urged to continue to be vigilant."
      
     "The fact that we could keep the impact of Mangkhut on Hong Kong to a minimum is down to the vigilance of relevant bureaux, departments and organisations which mobilised the necessary manpower and resources to put in place precautionary measures.  The efforts include setting up an inter-departmental committee by the Security Bureau involving over 30 departments and organisations, advancing the activation of the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre and the opening of the temporary shelters throughout the territory, assisting in the evacuation of residents from lowland areas and the installation of stop-logs, etc.  Many organisations have put in place various measures, including airlines which made arrangements for travelers to adjust their itineraries.  Members of the public in general have made preparations in anticipation of the typhoon.  I believe all these efforts have paid off.  The resources put in by the Government in enhancing slope safety, reducing flooding blackspots and assisting in the repairs and maintenance of old buildings over the years have also strengthened our city’s ability to withstand natural disasters."
      
     "The Government has immediately proceeded with the recovery work.  We will mobilise resources and join hands with relevant organisations to clear roads and streets, remove fallen trees and objects, repair damage facilities, etc. with a view to resuming the city's operation and people's daily life to normal as soon as possible.  I appeal to the understanding of members of the public as the work may take a bit of time and may cause disruption to them.  In addition, the Education Bureau has announced class suspension of all schools tomorrow.  I would call for employers to show understanding and flexibility in handling staff who have practical difficulties in resuming work."

     The Social Welfare Department announces that due to the inclement weather and possible damages of traffic and road facilities, members of the public are advised not to take their children or family members to the child care centres, centres providing after school care programmes, elderly services centres and day rehabilitation units, including sheltered workshops and integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres tomorrow (September 17). Members of the public who have a genuine need to receive the services mentioned are advised to contact the service units concerned and confirm their operation conditions in advance.
 

     The Labour Department (LD) today (September 16) reminded employers to make practical and reasonable work arrangements for staff in times of typhoons and rainstorms, including resumption of work after a typhoon warning is cancelled. This will help maintain good labour-management relations and ensure the safety of employees and the smooth operation of organisations.
 
     "For staff who have practical difficulties in resuming work promptly upon cancellation of a typhoon or rainstorm warning, employers should give due consideration to the circumstances of individual employees and handle each case flexibly, " an LD spokesman said.
 
     "As typhoons and rainstorms are natural occurrences that cannot be avoided, employers should not deduct wages or allowances of employees who are absent from or late for work because of inclement weather. Neither should employers dismiss an employee summarily based on these grounds," he said.
 
     The spokesman also reminded employers to observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Employees' Compensation Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance.
 
     Employers should not deduct annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days employees are entitled to under the Employment Ordinance to compensate for the loss of working hours resulting from employees' failure to report for duty upon the issue of Typhoon Signal No. 8 or the announcement of a Black Rainstorm Warning. An employer who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with the relevant provisions under the Employment Ordinance is liable to prosecution.
 
     Employers should also note that they have an obligation to maintain a safe workplace for their employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance.
 
     Under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, employers are liable to pay compensation for death or injury incurred when employees are travelling by a direct route from their residence to their workplace, or from their workplace back to their residence after work, four hours before or after working hours on a day when Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above or a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning is in force.
 
     To provide practical guidelines and samples of work arrangements for the reference of employers and employees, the LD has issued the booklet "Code of Practice in times of Typhoons and Rainstorms". The booklet can be obtained from branch offices of the Labour Relations Division or downloaded from the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 16) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places of visit. The case is detailed below: 
 

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.    
 
     The Hajj pilgrimage ended in late August. If pilgrims feel unwell during the two weeks after returning to Hong Kong, they should wear a surgical mask and seek medical attention immediately and inform a doctor of their recent travel history, including transit.

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.

     The Hurricane Signal No. 10 issued by the Hong Kong Observatory this morning (September 16) remains in force.

     The Home Affairs Department has so far opened 48 temporary shelters in various districts and 1 219 people have sought refuge at the shelters.

      As at 5pm, the 1823 Government Call Centre has received 179 reports of fallen tree and the Drainage Services Department has received 26 confirmed flooding cases. According to the Civil Engineering and Development Department and Lands Department, no report of landslide has been received.

      According to the Hospital Authority, as at 5pm, a total of 213 people, including 117 men and 96 women, have sought medical treatment at public hospitals during the typhoon period.

      The MTR Corporation is providing limited services. Tram, Peak Tram and ferry services were suspended. On air traffic, the Airport Authority Hong Kong reported that a total of 889 flights have been cancelled today.