Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
     Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
     As Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.3 has been issued, the Marine Department reminds vessel owners, masters and persons-in-charge of vessels that they should take precautionary measures immediately and properly secure their vessels at safe locations.
 
     In case of an accident, a report should be made immediately to the Vessel Traffic Centre at 2233 7801.

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 inclement weather, 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, integrated vocational training centres and day activity centres. These centres will resume normal service in two hours after the cancellation of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 to serve those whose families cannot provide alternative care for them, if the weather and conditions permit. Members of the public who have a need for the services mentioned may contact the service units concerned in advance."

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     â€‹The Hospital Authority announces that as the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 has been cancelled, the afternoon sessions of its general out-patient clinics (GOPCs), specialist clinics including physiotherapy and occupational therapy and psychiatric day hospitals will resume service at 2pm.

     General out-patients whose telephone or mobile app booked appointment being affected by the typhoon may make a new appointment through the telephone booking system or mobile app one hour after the cancellation of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8. Chronic patients of GOPCs and patients of specialist clinics who have scheduled appointments should call the respective clinics during office hour to make a new appointment.

     Besides, specimen bottle distribution service at the 22 GOPCs will be resumed tomorrow.
 

     As Typhoon Higos is moving away from Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Observatory issued the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 at 11.10am today (August 19) to replace the No. 8 Southeast Gale or Storm Signal issued at 7.40am.
 
     As at 11am, the 1823 Government Call Centre and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department have respectively received 48 and five reports of fallen trees. The Drainage Services Department has confirmed two flooding cases. The Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Lands Department have not received any reports of landslide.
 
     The Home Affairs Department opened 25 temporary shelters in various districts and 103 people sought refuge at the shelters.
 
     According to the Hospital Authority, as at 11am, 7 people (5 men and 2 women), have sought medical treatment at public hospitals during the typhoon period.

     The Labour Department (LD) today (August 19) reminded employers to make practical and reasonable work arrangements for staff after typhoons and rainstorms. Employers should also make flexible arrangements for staff to resume work after a typhoon or rainstorm warning is cancelled, with due consideration to road, traffic and other conditions. This will help maintain good labour-management relations and ensure the safety of employees and the smooth operation of establishments.
 
     "For staff who have practical difficulties in resuming work on time upon the cancellation of a typhoon or rainstorm warning, employers should give due consideration to the situations of individual employees and handle each case flexibly," an LD spokesman said.
 
     "As typhoons and rainstorms are natural occurrences that cannot be avoided, for employees who are not able to report for duty or resume work on time due to adverse weather conditions, employers should not withhold their wages, good attendance bonus or allowances without reasons. Employers should enquire into the reasons and give due consideration to the exceptional circumstances in each case and should not penalise or dismiss the employee concerned rashly," he said.
 
     The spokesman also reminded employers to observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, the Employees' Compensation Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance. 
 
     Employers should not deduct annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days employees are entitled to under the Employment Ordinance to compensate for the loss of working hours resulting from employees' failure to report for duty when Typhoon Signal No. 8, the Black Rainstorm Warning or the post-super typhoon "extreme conditions" announcement is in force. An employer who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with the relevant provisions under the Employment Ordinance is liable to prosecution. 
 
     Employers should also note that they have an obligation to provide and maintain a safe working environment for their employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance.
 
     The LD has published the "Code of Practice in Times of Typhoons and Rainstorms", which provides a reference for employers and employees on the work and resumption of work arrangements in the event of the Government issuing the post-super typhoon "extreme conditions" announcement, as well as the major principles, the framework, the reference guidelines and information on relevant legislation for reference in drawing up the work arrangements under adverse weather conditions. The booklet can be obtained from branch offices of the Labour Relations Division or downloaded from the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf).