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 issuing of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 9, all welfare service units of the department, all child care centres, centres providing after school care programmes, elderly services centres and day rehabilitation units including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres, integrated vocational training centres and day activity centres will not open to the public. After the signal No. 8 is cancelled, the units will resume normal operation in two hours, if the weather and conditions permit."

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hospital Authority announces that its general out-patient clinics, specialist clinics (GOPCs) including physiotherapy and occupational therapy and psychiatric day hospitals will be closed as Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal no. 8 or above is still in force.  Out-patients are advised to make a new appointment after the cancellation of the Warning Signal No. 8. Accident and Emergency services at hospitals will remain normal.
      
     If the Warning Signal No. 8 is cancelled later today, all clinics and day hospitals will resume service gradually within two hours after the cancellation of the warning signal.
      
     Besides, specimen bottle distribution service at the 22 GOPCs will be suspended today.

     The Increasing Gale or Storm Signal No. 9 issued by the Hong Kong Observatory this morning (August 19) remains in force.

      The Home Affairs Department has so far opened 25 temporary shelters in various districts and 97 people have sought refuge at the shelters.

      As at 6am, the 1823 Government Call Centre and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department have respectively received nine and one reports of fallen trees. The Drainage Services Department has confirmed one flooding case. The Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Lands Department have not received any reports of landslide.

      According to the Hospital Authority, as at 5am, one man and one woman have sought medical treatment at public hospitals during the typhoon period.

      Tram, Peak Tram, ferry services and daytime franchised bus services were suspended.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Immigration Department announces that when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above is in force, emergency services provided at the Immigration Headquarters, Branch Offices, Registration of Persons Offices, Deaths Registries and Marriage Registries under the special work arrangements for government departments are temporarily suspended.

Attention TV/Radio Announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Environmental Protection Department announced today (August 19) that due to typhoon, the South East New Territories Landfill in Tseung Kwan O is now closed until further notice.