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 15) 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; Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (November 15) that due to special circumstances which happened nearby, tennis courts of Shek Kip Mei Park in Sham Shui Po District; the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Hong Kong Science Museum in Yau Tsim Mong 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 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 contact the venues concerned or 1823 in advance.

     The Department of Health (DH) today (November 15) announced that owing to disruptions in transportation services, some DH clinic services will be affected as staff cannot report duties on time. The department will try its best to resume service as soon as possible.
 
     If those with appointments may not be able to attend their scheduled consultation due to possible traffic disruptions at various districts, they can call the clinics to reschedule the appointments later. There is no need to worry and rush for the consultation appointments.

     Please visit the following website for the information of DH clinics: www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc.html.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson said today (November 15) that due to traffic disruptions in various districts, some hospital and clinic services, including elective surgeries may be affected as staff cannot report duties on time. Services at the Accident and Emergency Departments and inpatient services at public hospitals are largely normal at the moment.

     Patients who are not able to attend their scheduled consultation can call the clinics to reschedule the appointments later. There is no need to worry and rush for the consultation appointments.

     At the same time, HA staff who could not report duty as scheduled should inform the supervisors concerned immediately for flexible staff deployment and contingency duty rearrangement. The HA would like to express appreciation to staff who may need to work additional hours beyond their normal duty.

     HA Major Incident Control Centre will closely monitor the situation to help co-ordinate service arrangement as appropriate.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (November 15) reminded 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. Except the Airport Express Line, the train service will end at 10pm.

     From start of service, East Rail Line stations between University and Lo Wu / Lok Ma Chau will be closed and trains will not stop at these stations. Tung Chung, Mong Kok, Tseung Kwan O, Sai Wan Ho and Tuen Mun stations are closed and trains will not stop at these stations. Entrances/Exits at some stations are closed. Other train stations may be closed within a short period of time due to incidents. Members of the public are advised to continue to stay tuned to the latest traffic news.

     Light Rail Routes 705, 706 and 751P are suspended. Light Rail Routes 614, 614P, 761P and 751 are diverted. Light Rail Vehicles will not stop at Chestwood and Yau Oi stops.

(II) Franchised bus

     Road-based transport services have been seriously affected this morning due to continued road blockages and damage to road facilities. In view of safety concerns and uncertain road conditions, buses can only provide limited services. The New Territories East, the New Territories West and Kowloon have been affected more seriously.

     As clearance work of Tolo Highway (both bounds) is being conducted, it is yet to be re-opened. Due to road blockage and damaged facilities, the operation of Cross Harbour Tunnel (both bounds) has been suspended. Relevant bus routes will not be provided.

     Some bus routes may be temporarily diverted subject to the road conditions. The major affected road sections include Pok Fu Lam Road between Pokfield Road and Bonham Road, Chatham Road South near the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (both bounds), Argyle Street near Sai Yee Street, Nathan Road between Dundas Street and Mong Kok Road (both bounds) and Cornwall Street between Waterloo Road and Tat Chee Avenue.

(III) Tramway

     Due to road condition, tram service will only be provided between Kennedy Town and Sai Wan Ho.

     About 210 sets of damaged traffic lights are under urgent repair in various districts. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to be patient and pay attention to road safety when passing through the affected junctions. For the safety of road users, the TD again appeals to members of the public to stop damaging traffic lights and other road facilities.

     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".