The Transport Department (TD) today (September 18) reminded the public that in view of the large number of grave sweepers travelling to the cemeteries in Chai Wan during the Chung Yeung Festival, special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented to ensure members of the public can visit the cemeteries in a safe and orderly manner.
 
     The special traffic and transport arrangements will include:
 
A) Road closures
 
October 6 (Saturday), 13 (Saturday), 20 (Saturday) and 27 (Saturday), and November 3 (Saturday), 4 (Sunday) and 11 (Sunday)
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     In connection with the implementation of Phase I road closures by the Police, vehicles will be allowed to use the section of Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road (i.e., the left-turning movement from Lin Shing Road to Cape Collinson Road leading to the vicinity of the Chinese Permanent Cemetery) from 7am to 6pm daily. Should traffic conditions worsen, the Police may consider escalating to Phase II road closures.
 
October 7 (Sunday), 14 (Sunday), 21 (Sunday) and 28 (Sunday)
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     In connection with the implementation of Phase II road closures by the Police, the left-turning movement from Lin Shing Road to Cape Collinson Road leading to the vicinity of the Chinese Permanent Cemetery will be closed to all vehicular traffic (except for green minibus (GMB) route 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permits) from 7am to 6.30pm daily.
 
     Lin Shing Road and Cape Collinson Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 7am to 6.30pm daily (except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M, 16X and 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permits). The Police may allow taxis and public light buses to enter Lin Shing Road and turn right into Cape Collinson Road depending on the traffic conditions in the vicinity of the Chai Wan cemeteries.
 
October 17 (Chung Yeung Festival)
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     In connection with the implementation of Phase III road closures by the Police, Lin Shing Road and Cape Collinson Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 7am to 7pm daily (except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permits).
 
B) Public transport services
 
     New World First Bus (NWFB) route 388 (Circular) between Chai Wan Station Bus Terminus and Chai Wan Cemeteries will be operated from 8am to 5pm on October 7, 14, 21 and 28, from 9am to 4pm daily on October 13, 20 and 27, from 7am to 6pm on October 17, from 9am to 2pm on November 4, and when necessary the service will be strengthened depending on the traffic conditions and passenger demand.
 
     NWFB route 389 (Circular) between Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus and Chai Wan Cemeteries will be operated from 9am to 5pm daily on October 7, 14, 21 and 28, from 9am to 4pm daily on October 20, from 7am to 6pm on October 17, and when necessary the service will be strengthened depending on the traffic conditions and passenger demand.
 
     NWFB route 9C from Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus to Chai Wan Cemeteries will be operated from 9am to 1pm on October 17, and when necessary the service will be strengthened depending on the traffic conditions and passenger demand.
 
     Actual implementation of and adjustments to road closures, traffic control and public transport diversions will be made by the Police at the time depending on conditions in the areas.
 
     Members of the public are advised to follow the latest traffic news on television and radio. They may also visit the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) or call 1823 for the latest traffic and transport information.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 is 104.5 (down 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     The Hong Kong Public Libraries computer system maintenance work will be carried out from 6pm on September 24 to 7am on September 25, a Leisure and Cultural Services Department spokesman announced today (September 18), adding that the following services will be suspended during the aforesaid period:
 

• library mobile app services and Internet and telephone renewal services;
• other online library services, including the library catalogue, borrowers' record enquiries, reservation of library materials and Internet and Digital Service Workstations, the Multimedia Information System and electronic resources (e-Books and e-Databases); and
• borrowing of library materials, payment of library fees and pickup of reserved library materials services of the self-service library station located at the Island East Sports Centre Sitting-out Area (readers can still return library materials during the aforesaid period, while the loan record will be updated after the completion of system maintenance work).

     For enquiries, please call 2921 0208.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) supported the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festivals in Antwerp, Belgium on September 15, and in Dublin, Ireland on September 15 and 16 .

     In Belgiums port city of Antwerp, the 8th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival organised by the Rotary International, Antwerp West, is one of the city's biggest annual events, attracting 32 teams of competitors and around 6 000 enthusiastic paddlers and visitors. HKETO, Brussels, the title sponsor of the Festival, entered two boats, Hong Kong Dragon and Hong Kong International Paddlers, in the races. The crew of Hong Kong Dragon comprised staff of HKETO, Brussels and their family members and friends, while the Hong Kong International Paddlers had a crew of expats and locals. Many community groups and companies in Belgium also took part in the Festival as a team-building event. The University of Gent and the University of Antwerp in Belgium also fielded teams with the support of the Belgium-Hong Kong Society. The starting shot was given by Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, while Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, presented the trophy to the fastest team.

     In Dublin, HKETO, Brussels was the title sponsor of the Hong Kong Dublin Dragon Boat Regatta for the third time. Organised by the Irish Dragon Boat Association in conjunction with Plurabelle Paddlers, and supported by Waterways Ireland and Dublin City Council, the Regatta took place at the heart of the capital city,the Grand Canal Dock in Dublin. A total of some 1 000 participants in 52 teams from different regions joined the most entertaining races carried out on the two days. Their joy and laughter were shared by about 2 500 visitors each day. Assistant Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Mr Paul Leung, officiated at the event and presented medals to the winning teams.

     In both Antwerp and Dublin, booklets and information about Hong Kong, including its tourist attractions and its first Talent List, were distributed at the Hong Kong booth. Visitors to the booth could receive Hong Kong brand prizes after successfully completing a quiz about Hong Kong.

              

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 18) that as Cheung Chau Sports Ground in Islands District is now being used as a temporary emergency helicopter landing site, the venue has been temporarily closed until further notice.