The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (November 14) that due to special circumstances which have happened nearby, the tennis courts of Shek Kip Mei Park in Sham Shui Po District, Quarry Bay Sports Centre and Quarry Bay Public Library in Eastern District, the Hong Kong Museum of History in Yau Tsim Mong District and Sheung Shui Public Library in North 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. Museums and performance venues will be closed after 6pm or completion of events.
 
     Apart from Hong Kong Stadium, all LCSD leisure facilities will be closed at 7pm today (by the end of the second session for swimming pools).
 
     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 Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra (HKYSO) of the Music Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold its annual concert entitled "Music Fantastique．The New World", at 2pm on December 14 (Saturday) at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall.
      
     The first half of the concert, featuring instructor Lee Sing-wan as the conductor and young local theatre actor Wan Tsz-leung as the narrator, tells a story which travels from the romantic era to the 20th century. The repertoire to be performed in this part includes: "March to the Scaffold" from "Symphonie Fantastique", one of the most popular symphonies composed by Berlioz; "Night on Bald Mountain", a symphonic poem which portrays the carnival night of devils; "Nocturne" from "Carmen Suite No. 2", showcasing the performance of oboe and flute; excerpt from "Boléro", which features a rhythmic Spanish dance style; and the lively and humorous "Typewriter".
      
     Under the baton of Chief Music Officer of the Music Office James Leung, the second half of the concert will lead the audience to the fantastic new world of music through the four movements of DvoÅ™ák’s celebrated symphony, "Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, 'From the New World', Op. 95". 

     Since its establishment in 1978, the HKYSO's membership has grown to about 100, with ages ranging from 12 to 25. Over the years, it has groomed many eminent local performers and music educators. The HKYSO has also played the role of music ambassador for Hong Kong and has participated in concert tours to France, Israel, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Singapore and the Mainland.
      
     Tickets priced at $55, $75 and $95 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2796 7523 or 3842 7784 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice.

     In view of the continued obstruction of roads and disruption of transport services in extensive areas, classes of all schools (including kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and special schools) in the territory will remain suspended from tomorrow (November 15) to Sunday (November 17) for the sake of safety.

     During class suspension on school days, schools must keep their premises open and school staff should return to school under safe and feasible conditions to look after students who have arrived at school. They should maintain contact with parents and allow students to return home only under safe and feasible conditions.

     The Education Bureau strongly appealed again for a halt to all violent and destructive acts so that the society can return to normal as soon as possible and students can go to school safely. Students should stay at home and not wander in the streets. They should stay from danger and must not participate in any unlawful activities.

     The bureau will continue to monitor the latest developments and provide schools with timely advice and support.

     Rioters today ( November 14) continue to build barricades and inflict extensive damage to different districts, seriously endangering public safety and order. Police are aware that as some rioters maliciously blocked roads near the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, some members of the public voluntarily cleared the roads to restore normal traffic. Rioters threw bricks and hard objects at the volunteers, posing a serious threat to their safety.
      
     Earlier, rioters targeted volunteers who were removing barricades and threw hard objects at them. For instance, last night (November 13), rioters threw plastic chairs from the footbridge next to the Kowloon exit of Cross Harbour Tunnel. On November 12, rioters threw hard objects from a footbridge on Pok Fu Lam Road in Western District onto the members of the public removing barricades underneath. One man sustained head injuries.
      
     Police warn rioters to stop all violent acts and leave immediately. Police appeal to members of the public to refrain from removing barricades in dangerous areas to avoid being attacked by rioters. Police will endeavour to restore public order and road safety.
 

     Taking into consideration transportation service disruptions and to ensure the safety of patients and staff members, the Department of Health today (November 14) announced that Yau Ma Tei Methadone Clinic will not open today. Those who have been receiving methadone treatment there can receive their daily dose at other methadone clinics.

     Subject to the situation in other districts, the operating hours of other methadone clinics may also be adjusted today.

     Please visit the following website for information on methadone clinics: www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_mc.html.