In view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department has opened 18 temporary cold shelters in various districts today (February 8) for people in need of the service. The temporary shelters will remain open when the Cold Weather Warning is in force.

     Clean mattresses and blankets/quilts, hot meals and hot water will be provided to shelter users free of charge during the opening of temporary shelters.

     To ensure that cold shelter users can rest in a quiet and undisturbed environment, members of the public or agencies wishing to make donations to shelter users are requested to register with the staff of the shelter first. Donors will then be directed to place the donated items at a specified indoor location. The staff will help notify the shelter users to collect the items on their own.

     Anyone seeking temporary refuge or with any questions about the donation arrangements at the cold shelters may call the department's hotline 2572 8427 for more information.

     The 18 temporary cold shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
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Central and Western:
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern:
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern:
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai:
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon:
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Kowloon City:
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices,
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong:
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po:
Nam Cheong District Community Centre
1 Cheong San Lane, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin:
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong:
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories:
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Islands:
Tung Chung Community Hall 
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing:
Tai Wo Hau Estate Community Centre
15 Tai Wo Hau Road, Kwai Chung

North:
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung:
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O

Sha Tin:
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin

Tai Po:
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan:
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan

Tuen Mun:
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun

Yuen Long:
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long 

     In response to the Japanese Government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on February 7 to noon today (February 8), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 146 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS's thematic website titled "Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan" (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD's website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO's website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24 to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 29 865 samples of food imported from Japan (including 20 009 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 8 372 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements to facilitate the holding of Well Wishing Festival in Lam Tsuen during the Lunar New Year period.

Road closure and traffic diversions
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     Lam Tsuen Heung Kung Sho Road between Pai Lau and Lam Tsuen Valley Committee will be closed and pedestrianised from 7am to 7pm daily between February 10 and 24.

     Police will implement traffic control measures in phases to restrict vehicles from using Lam Kam Road and Lam Kam Road Interchange. Depending on the traffic and crowd conditions, the following traffic arrangements will be implemented:

     Vehicles heading for southbound Lam Kam Road should travel along the nearside lane of northbound Tolo Highway outside Ma Wo and Lam Kam Road Interchange between February 10 and 18, except for franchised buses, coaches, green minibuses, taxis and vehicles with permit.

     Depending on traffic conditions, Tai Po Tai Wo Road leading for northbound Tolo Highway will be closed from 10am to 6pm daily between February 10 and 18. Vehicles along Tai Po Tai Wo Road heading for southbound Lam Kam Road will be diverted via southbound Tolo Highway, slip road, westbound Tai Po Road – Yuen Chau Tsai, roundabout, eastbound Tai Po Road – Yuen Chau Tsai, slip road, the nearside lane of northbound Tolo Highway and Lam Kam Road Interchange.

     Vehicles cannot enter southbound She Shan Road from northbound and southbound Lam Kam Road from noon to 6pm daily between February 10 and 18.

     Police will continue traffic enforcement action during the Lunar New Year period. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     Police will implement crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements to facilitate worshippers visiting Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin during the Che Kung Festival period.

Crowd safety management measures
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     A large crowd is anticipated to visit Che Kung Temple and Che Kung Festival Fair during the Lunar New Year period. Depending on the crowd conditions, one-way pedestrian flow may be implemented at MTR Tai Wai Station and in the vicinity of Che Kung Temple, including Che Kung Miu Road and Chui Tin Street, between 11pm on Feburary 9 and 8pm on Feburary 13 to ensure public order and safety. Members of the public are urged to observe order and be patient while waiting in a queue.

Special traffic arrangements
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A. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 8pm on February 9 to 8pm on February 13:

– The slow lane of westbound Che Kung Miu Road between Chui Tin Street and near Che Kung Temple;
– The right-turn lane of westbound Che Kung Miu Road between Chui
Tin Street and near Che Kung Temple;
– The slow lane of northbound Chui Tin Street between Che Kung Miu
Road and the entrance of Sun Chui Estate near Sun Fong House; and
– The slow lane of southbound Chui Tin Street between Che Kung Miu
Road and the entrance of Sun Chui Estate near Sun Fong House.

B. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic diversions will be implemented from 8pm on February 9 to 8pm on February 13:

– Traffic along westbound Che Kung Miu Road cannot turn left to Chui Tin Street;
– Traffic along westbound Che Kung Miu Road cannot turn right to the private road of car park of The Wai;
– Traffic along northbound Chui Tin Street cannot turn right to the road leading to the public car park at Chui Tin Street near Che Kung Temple;
– Traffic along southbound Chui Tin Street cannot turn right to the entrance of Sun Chui Estate near Sun Fong House;
– Traffic along northbound Chui Tin Street cannot go straight to the private road of car park of The Wai;
– Traffic along westbound Che Kung Miu Road heading for southbound Chui Tin Street and the private road of car park of The Wai will be diverted via westbound Che Kung Miu Road, roundabout and eastbound Che Kung Miu Road;
– Traffic along northbound Chui Tin Street heading for the road
leading to the public car park at Chui Tin Street near Che Kung Temple will be diverted via westbound Che Kung Miu Road, roundabout, eastbound Che Kung Miu Road and southbound Chui Tin Street;
– Traffic along southbound Chui Tin Street heading for the entrance of Sun Chui Estate near Sun Fong House will be diverted via southbound Chui Tin Street, eastbound Chui Tin Street, roundabout and northbound Chui Tin Street; and
– Traffic along southbound Chui Tin Street heading for the private
road of car park of The Wai will be diverted via westbound Che Kung Miu Road, roundabout and eastbound Che Kung Miu Road.

C. Cycle tracks closure

     The following cycling tracks will be closed from 8pm on February 9 to 8pm on February 13:

– The cycle track along Tsuen Lam Road between Tai Wai Road and the western riverside of Shing Mun River Channel;
– The cycle track along the western riverside of Shing Mun River
Channel between Tai Wai Soccer Pitch and Che Kung Miu Road;
– The cycle track along the eastern riverside of Shing Mun River
Channel between Tai Wai Soccer Pitch and Man Lai Court;
– The cycle track connecting the eastern and western riverside of Shing Mun River Channel near Block 1 of Man Lai Court;
– The cycle tracks along both sides of Che Kung Miu Road between
Chui Tin Street and Sha Tin Tau Road;
– The cycle track inside the subway system at the junction between Che Kung Miu Road and Chui Tin Street;
– The cycle track inside the subway system at the junction between Che Kung Miu Road and Sha Tin Tau Road;
– The cycle track along southern kerbside lane of Che Kung Miu Road between Chui Tin Street and Island School Tai Wai; and
– The cycle tracks along both sides of Chui Tin Street between Che Kung Miu Road and the unnamed road leading to public car park near Che Kung Temple.

     During the cycle track closure period, cyclists may use the cycle track along the northern riverside of Shing Mun River Channel between Lion Rock Tunnel Road and Shing Wan Road commuting to and from Sha Tin.

C. Suspension of car parks

     The public car park at Chui Tin Street near Che Kung Temple will be suspended from 6am on February 9 to 8pm on February 13, and from 7am to 6pm daily on February 17, 18, 24 and 25, except for vehicles with permit.

     The public car park at Chui Tin Street near Greenview Garden will be suspended from 6am on February 9 to 8pm on February 13, except for vehicles with permit.

     Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport to visit Che Kung Temple and Che Kung Festival Fair.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts mentioned above will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.

     Actual implementation of the crowd safety management measures and traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Members of the public are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (February 8) reminded the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in various locations on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon to facilitate the holding of the International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui on the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 10) and the Lunar New Year fireworks display at Victoria Harbour on the second day of the Lunar New Year (February 11).
      
(I) International Chinese New Year Night Parade on the first day of the Lunar New Year
 
Road closures
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     In connection with the holding of the International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui at 8pm on the first day of the Lunar New Year, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases on roads in Tsim Sha Tsui area, including the Parade route along Canton Road, Haiphong Road and Nathan Road, and the section of Salisbury Road between Chatham Road South and Star Ferry Pier, from 3.30pm until the reopening of roads at about 11.45pm. During the road closure period, taxi stands (including taxi pick-up/drop-off points), public light bus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks on the roads affected will be suspended.
 
Public transport services arrangements
——————————————–
 

1. In connection with the road closure arrangements, the bus and green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted or suspended, and the associated bus and GMB stops located within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated;
    
2. MTR lines including Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, South Island Line and East Rail Line will be strengthened subject to passenger demand; and
    
3. For cross-boundary coach services, the terminus of the short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Jordan and Huanggang Port at the Austin Road Cross Border Coach Terminus will be suspended from about 8pm to about midnight. A temporary terminus will be provided at the coach pick-up and drop-off area on Wui Man Road outside Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. 

 
(II) Lunar New Year fireworks display on the second day of the Lunar New Year
 
Road closures
—————-
 
     In connection with the holding of the fireworks display at Victoria Harbour at 8pm on the second day of the Lunar New Year, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases in Wan Chai, Central District, Eastern District and the Peak on Hong Kong Island from about 5.30pm. Moreover, the section of Island Eastern Corridor westbound between Man Hong Street and Victoria Park Road will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic (expect for franchised buses) from 7.55pm until the reopening of roads. 
      
     In Kowloon, road closures and the corresponding traffic diversions will be implemented in phases from about 5pm in the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and the West Kowloon Cultural District until the crowds disperse and the roads reopen.
      
     During the road closure period, taxi stands (including taxi pick-up/drop-off points), public light bus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks on the roads affected will be suspended.
           
Public transport service arrangements
——————————————-
 

1. In connection with road closures, the bus and GMB routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted or suspended, and the associated bus and GMB stops located within the affected areas will be suspended or relocated;
    
2. For MTR services, Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, South Island Line, Tung Chung Line, East Rail Line and Tuen Ma Line will be strengthened subject to passenger demand; the operating hours of East Rail Line between Lo Wu and Admiralty will be extended, whereof the last departure on the second day of the Lunar New Year will take place from Admiralty at 0.56am on the following day to Lo Wu, and take place from Lo Wu at 2.30am on the following day to Admiralty;
    
3. The frequency of tram service will be strengthened subject to passenger demand;
    
4. Star Ferry, Sun Ferry, Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, Discovery Bay Transportation Services, Park Island Transport and Fortune Ferry will gradually adjust and suspend parts of their services from 6.20pm on the second day of the Lunar New Year to facilitate the holding of the fireworks display; and
    
5. For cross-boundary coach services, the terminus of the short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Wan Chai and Huanggang Port at Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from about 4.30pm until the reopening of roads, and a temporary terminus will be provided on Hennessy Road westbound near Southorn Centre. The terminus of short-haul cross-boundary coach service plying between Jordan and Huanggang Port at the Austin Road Cross Border Coach Terminus will be suspended from about 8pm to about midnight, and a temporary terminus will be provided at the coach pick-up and drop-off area on Wui Man Road outside Hong Kong West Kowloon Station.
    

Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System Services
———————————————————————-
 

1. The service of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System on the second day of the Lunar New Year will be extended to 2am on the following day.

 
     A spokesman for the TD specially reminded the public that "on the night of the second day of the Lunar New Year (February 11), only the service of MTR East Rail Line plying between Admiralty and Lo Wu will be extended, while other MTR lines and the connecting public transport services will maintain their normal operating hours. Members of the public are advised to pay attention to the details of the public transport services concerned and plan their journeys ahead. They may contact the relevant public transport operators if needed."
 
     Due to extensive road closures, the TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of Hong Kong Island North (including Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central and the Island Eastern Corridor), the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and the West Kowloon Cultural District in Kowloon, and the Cross Harbour Tunnel as well as the Aberdeen Tunnel will become significantly congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to these areas affected by the road closures. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise patience and drive with care, and follow the instructions of the Police on site.
      
     Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. Subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas, the Police may adjust the traffic arrangements. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or the TD mobile application "HKeMobility".
      
     For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD website (www.td.gov.hk) or mobile application "HKeMobility". Passengers may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.