The Visiting Scheme to Outlying Islands is open for applications from today (July 17) to encourage eligible organisations, such as schools, uniformed groups, non-governmental organisations, community and local groups, to organise activities to visit the outlying islands. Successful applicants will be provided with free ferry rides to travel to and from the outlying islands covered in the Scheme to hold activities.
 
     The Transport Department (TD) has launched the Scheme since 2012, aiming to promote local economy of the outlying islands, reduce the travelling expenses of organisations for holding activities and boost the patronage of the outlying island ferry services. To align with the social distancing measures implemented to combat COVID-19, the Scheme was suspended from 2020 to 2022. 
 
     The TD has relaunched the Scheme. In addition to ferry services to and from Cheung Chau, Lantau (Mui Wo), Peng Chau and Lamma Island (Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan), the Scheme now extends to cover those plying between Lantau (Tung Chung, Sha Lo Wan and Tai O) and Ma Wan.
 
     Applicants should note the maximum number of participants of each activity which is set according to the different operation conditions of each route to avoid affecting the daily use of ferry services by residents of the outlying islands. Applicants should also pay attention to the requirements concerning the dates, times, ticket types and service sections that are available for applications. Applicant is required to submit a duly completed application form together with copies of the relevant supporting documents at least 30 days prior to the date of its proposed activity to the TD. New applications will not be accepted if the funding for the Scheme is fully utilised.
 
     The TD has arranged posters and leaflets with application forms for the Scheme, and will disseminate the relevant information to the public through the Education Bureau, the Social Welfare Department and the Home Affairs Department.
 
     During the application period of 2017-2019, about 800 applications were approved with about 95 000 free passenger trips provided for travelling to and from Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Peng Chau and Lamma Island.
 
     For details, please visit the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk).

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations,

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

     The Tourism Commission announces that as the Gale or Storm Signal no.8 is now in force, "A Symphony of Lights" will be cancelled tonight (July 17).

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 as the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 was still in force at 11am, all hearings of the courts and tribunals will remain adjourned today (July 17).

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

     â€‹To provide the public with an opportunity to better understand the work and personnel training of the Fire Services Department (FSD), an open day will be held at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy in Tseung Kwan O on August 6 (Sunday).

     The open day will feature a range of activities, including a fire appliances parade, firefighting and rescue demonstrations, displays of training facilities, equipment and special vehicles, an exhibition on fire safety education, game booths, a recruitment experience area, as well as a demonstration of Fire Services working dogs. The Fire and Ambulance Services Education Centre cum Museum will also be open to the public on the day.

     The open day will be held from 8.45am to 4pm. A ticket is required for admission (children aged 3 or below do not require an admission ticket).

     Members of the public who are interested can apply for a maximum of four admission tickets from today (July 17) to July 19 through the latest version of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department Mobile Application, which can be downloaded from Apple App Store, Google Play and Huawei AppGallery for free. The tickets will be allocated by computer ballot and successful applicants will receive a notification through the Application on or before July 24.

     Visitors are advised to use public transportation as no parking space will be provided at the Academy. The open day will be cancelled if Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above, or the Red/Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is still in force at 6.45am on the event day. Visitors should visit the FSD's website (www.hkfsd.gov.hk) regularly for the latest information. For enquiries, please call 2411 8825.

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. The Park will re-open two hours after the signal is lowered. The Park will remain closed today if the signal No. 8 or above remains hoisted at 2pm. 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.