Attention TV/Radio Announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: 

     The Environmental Protection Department announced today (July 17) that due to typhoon, the South East New Territories Landfill at Tseung Kwan O is now closed until further notice.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     As the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Legislative Council (LegCo) Secretariat announced today (July 17) that the service of the LegCo Public Complaints Office is suspended. Meanwhile, public services in the LegCo Complex, including guided tours, the LegCo Library and the LegCo Archives, are also suspended.
      
     Services will be resumed two hours after the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above is cancelled. However, if the Signal is cancelled at or after 3pm today, services will be suspended for the whole day.

     As the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 is now in force, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (July 17) will be cancelled.

     The Hong Kong Observatory replaced the No. 8 Northeast Gale or Storm Signal by the No. 8 Southeast Gale or Storm Signal at 6.40am today (July 17).

     The Home Affairs Department has so far opened 29 temporary shelters in various districts and 92 people have sought refuge at the shelters.

     As at 6am today, the 1823 Government Call Centre has received three reports of fallen tree. No reports of landslide or flooding have been received so far. 

     According to the Hospital Authority, as at 6am today, no people have sought medical treatment at public hospitals during the typhoon period.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hospital Authority 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 other day services will be closed while the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 is in force. Patients, who have scheduled appointments, are advised to make a new appointment after the cancellation of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8. 
 
     Service of Accident & Emergency Department at public hospitals remains normal.