Last night (November 15), Tolo Highway was again maliciously blocked by rioters. For the safety of citizens and road users, Police have collaborated with other government departments to clear the debris on Tolo Highway this morning (November 16). All lanes of northbound Tolo Highway are now re-opened and lanes of southbound will also be re-opened soon.
      
     Police appeal to all members of the public not to throw any object off the bridge or conduct any illegal acts posing threat to road users. Drivers are advised to pay attention when they pass by the location concerned.

     The Reading Programme for Children and Youth, organised by the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, continues to attract an overwhelming response with over 130,000 members this year. Twenty-four members received Star of the Month awards for their reading reports, in which seven outstanding pieces were awarded Reading Supernova. Nineteen participants in the programme attending the most sessions of the Monthly Meeting of Joyful Reading were awarded Elite of Joyful Reading medals.
 
     The HKPL is committed to promoting reading on campus and hopes that schools can encourage students to register for the programme. The five schools that successfully nominated the largest number of members in the year, namely Yu Chun Keung Memorial College, W F Joseph Lee Primary School, Hong Kong Baptist Convention Primary School, San Wui Commercial Society School and SKH Yan Laap Primary School, were presented with Most Active School in Promoting Participation awards.

     Five schools with the highest total number of books read by their nominated members won the Most Active School in Promoting Reading awards. The winning schools are W F Joseph Lee Primary School, Hong Kong Baptist Convention Primary School, HKMLC Ming Tao Primary School, SKH Yan Laap Primary School and SKH Tin Wan Chi Nam Primary School.
 
     As for the Voluntary Helpers Scheme, members of the public can assist in providing library services on a voluntary basis while at the same time learn more about resources and facilities of public libraries. Two volunteers providing services of more than 100 hours this year received Gold Award certificates in recognition of their contributions to society.

     Since its launch in 1984, the Reading Programme has encouraged the participation of children and youths from kindergarten to Secondary Six. It aims at cultivating the reading habits of children and youth, and to share their reading tips and the joy of reading through various library activities. To promote paired reading, children from kindergarten to Primary Three can join the family category with their parents. People interested in participating in the Reading Programme may contact any public library or visit www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/extension-activities/event-category/23427/reading-programme-for-children-and-youth.

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (November 17).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

     The Labour Department (LD) today (November 16) 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," an LD spokesman said.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (November 16) that due to special circumstances which happened nearby, tennis courts of Shek Kip Mei Park in Sham Shui Po District are closed to ensure the safety of venue users and staff members. The department will closely monitor the situation and announce venue arrangements in a timely manner.
 
     Subject to the situation, more cultural and leisure facilities in the same district and any other district which may be affected will also be closed early and at short notice to ensure the safety of venue users. Members of the public who plan to go to those venues are advised to contact the venues concerned or 1823 in advance.