The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority today (November 15) announced the following service arrangements:
 
     Out of safety concerns for patients and staff members, tonight's evening services at seven General Outpatient Clinics (see attached table) will be temporarily suspended. Patients with appointments are advised to make a new appointment later. The other 16 clinics providing evening services will close upon completion of booked appointments.

     A spokesman for the Fire Services Department (FSD) said today (November 15) that due to the recent mass gatherings, main thoroughfares and roads in various districts in Hong Kong, including roads in the vicinity of fire stations and ambulance depots, have been obstructed. The barricades have also blocked fire appliances and ambulances from responding to fire and emergency ambulance calls. Amongst all, the services of the Tsim Tung Fire Station, Tsim Tung Ambulance Depot and Kowloon Tong Fire Station cum Ambulance Depot were the most affected.

     The road blockages have seriously affected the emergency services of the department and jeopardised the lives and property of citizens. To reduce the impact brought by the road obstruction on the operations of fire appliances and ambulances, FSD personnel will strive to clear the barricades obstructing the roads near the affected fire stations and ambulance depots today.

     The operation aims to enable the fire appliances and ambulances to provide prompt responses to fire and emergency ambulance calls, safeguarding the lives and property of the general public. The FSD calls on all persons to exercise restraint and co-operate with the operation of its personnel.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (November 15) that due to special circumstances which have happened nearby, the tennis courts of Shek Kip Mei Park in Sham Shui Po District; the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Hong Kong Science Museum and Tsim Sha Tsui Public Library in Yau Tsim Mong District; and Quarry Bay Sports Centre and Quarry Bay Public Library in Eastern District have been closed to ensure the safety of venue users and staff members.

     Also taking into consideration transportation service disruptions and other circumstances which may happen, all LCSD libraries in all districts will be closed at 6pm today. Performance venues will be closed after 6pm or completion of events.

     Apart from the Hong Kong Coliseum, all LCSD leisure facilities will be closed at 7pm today (by the end of the second session for swimming pools).

     Apart from the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Hong Kong Science Museum, all museums will stay open until normal closing hours.

     Subject to the situation, more cultural and leisure facilities in the same districts 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 visit the LCSD website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/index.html) or contact 1823 in advance.

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (November 15) that as public transport services and some major traffic lines have been seriously affected, all nine Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres (SIDCCs) of the ImmD will be closed at 7pm. Members of the public who have appointments for today may proceed to the SIDCCs at an earlier time today or on later days for identity card replacements and they need not make another appointment. Subject to the actual circumstances of various districts, individual Replacement Centres may close earlier at any time. Before proceeding to Replacement Centres, applicants are advised to browse the latest Government press release, or to call the Replacement Centres during working hours.
 

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, November 15, 2019 is 106.1 (down 0.2 against yesterday's index).