Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (November 26) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.
The Water Supplies Department today (November 26) announced that, in light of unforeseeable traffic conditions, the Ma On Shan Water Treatment Works Open Day originally scheduled for November 30 will be postponed. Details will be announced later.
The Government today (November 26) urged employers to make flexible work arrangements for staff to return to work having regard to traffic and road conditions occurring during the day. This will help maintain good labour-management relations and ensure the safety of employees and the smooth operations of establishments.
"For staff who cannot report for duty on time on account of conditions in road traffic or public transport services, employers should give due consideration to the circumstances of individual employees and handle each case flexibly," a Government spokesman said.
"The Government will similarly handle government employees in such situations with understanding. For staff who are unable to report to work on time because of traffic problems, they should inform their immediate supervisors as soon as possible and their departments will handle the cases flexibly."
The Transport Department (TD) today (‪November 26‬) appealed to members of the public to pay attention to the traffic situation and the latest public transport service arrangement this morning before starting their journey.
As at 6am today, the latest public transport situation is as follows:
(I) MTR
All MTR lines maintain services today. Except the Airport Express Line, the train service will ‪end at 11.30pm.
University station remains closed. From start of service, East Rail Line service will be provided between Hung Hom and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau stations (not stopping at University Station).
On Light Rail services, Route 751P‬ is substituted by Route 706, Route 614P heading for Siu Hong is substituted by Route 614; Route 615P heading for Tuen Mun Ferry Pier is substituted by Route Route 615. Routes 614 and 761P will be diverted. Route 751 will not stop at Chestwood and Yau Oi stops.
(II) Hung Hom Cross Harbour Tunnel
Due to the damage to the facilities of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel (CHT), the tunnel remains closed. Relevant departments have been carrying out urgent repair works in full steam. Temporary closure arrangment for the nearby road sections is as follows:
* Hong Chong Road (both bounds), Science Museum Road and Science Museum Path are temporarily closed;
* Chatham Road South (South and North bounds) access to Cheong Wan Road is prohibited;
* Austin Road (East bound) access to Cheong Wan Road is prohibited.
To assist members of the public to commute, the TD has co-ordinated with franchised bus and ferry operators to strengthen services. Nine routes operating via CHT have been rerouted via Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC), which include 101X, 107, 108, 111, 115, 116, 118 and 182, as well as ‪118P via Western‬ Harbour Crossing.
The service hours of the following two special free ferry routes are ‪from 7am to 7pm‬, with peak frequency at 20-minute interval:
(1) Between Ma Tau Kok Public Pier in Kowloon City and Wan Chai Public Pier (near Golden Bauhinia Square)
(2) Between Hung Hom (South) Ferry Pier and Wan Chai Public Pier (near Golden Bauhinia Square)
In view of the limited carrying capacity of the ferry services and to provide alternative for passengers, franchised bus operators will arrange special departures (Route 115) at Kowloon City Ferry Pier Bus Terminus via the EHC to Central.
As traffic conditions and railway services may change within a short period of time, the TD urges commuters using public transport services to allow more travelling time and plan their journey in advance. Details of the latest traffic news are available at TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/en/home/index.html) or mobile application "HKeMobility".
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) is supporting the participation of Hong Kong films in the Festival des 3 Continents, a film festival being held in Nantes, France, from November 19 to 26 (Nantes time).
The festival, which screens feature films from Asia, Africa and Latin America and has been noted for showcasing Hong Kong film directors to the French public, is paying a tribute to director Tsui Hark this year. It is covering the Hong Kong director's career by screening 14 films spanning the period from 1983 to 2018. In addition, a recent Hong Kong film, "No.7 Cherry Lane" by director Yonfan, is taking part in the festival’s competition.
Officiating at a reception on November 22 (Nantes time), Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Mr Sam Hui, praised director Tsui's creative genius and remarkable achievements in bringing Hong Kong films to international attention in the past four decades.
Mr Hui said Hong Kong has one of the largest and most dynamic film entertainment industries in the world. In 2018, more than 50 locally produced films were released in Hong Kong, and among them some were co-productions with Mainland China. The Hong Kong film industry can continue to flourish because of Hong Kong's diverse and international culture, the city's strong protection of freedom of expression, and a solid legal system that protects the intellectual property rights of artists and producers.
HKETO, Brussels also supported the participation of Hong Kong films in the 7th Asian Film Festival in Barcelona, Spain, which ran from October 30 to November 10. The festival screened five recent Hong Kong films, including "Still Human", whose leading actress, Crisel Consunji, attended the event.
