The Department of Health (DH) today (November 14) 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 14) 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 would monitor the service situation of public hospital, while announcement on service arrangement will be made when necessary.

     The Government today (November 14) 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 14) 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 Sha Tin 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 Tolo Highway and Cross Harbour Tunnel (both bounds) are yet to be re-opened, services of 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 Argyle Street near Sai Yee Street, Nathan Road between Prince Edward Road West and Waterloo Road (both bounds) and Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road.

(III) Tramway

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

     About 240 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".

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:
 
     "The Social Welfare Department announces that due to the anticipated unstable traffic and unforeseeable conditions, members of the public are advised not to take their children or family members to child care centres, centres providing after school care programmes, elderly services centres or day rehabilitation units, including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres and day activity centres today (November 14). These centres will, however, remain open to serve those whose families cannot provide alternative care for them. Members of the public who have the need to receive the services mentioned may contact the service units concerned in advance."