Latest arrangements for public services of Legal Aid Department

     In view of the latest developments of COVID-19 and in response to the Government's announcement on the latest special work arrangements, the Legal Aid Department (LAD) announced today (March 27) that the LAD offices will provide basic necessary and limited civil and criminal legal aid application and litigation services from March 30 to April 3.
 
     The Information and Application Services Unit of the Kowloon Branch Office will continue to be closed until further notice. The opening hours of other offices are as follows:  
 

Offices Opening hours
Information and Application Services Unit, Headquarters 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday
Crime Section 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday
Civil Litigation Section 1 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday
Civil Litigation Section 2 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday
Costing Unit and Enforcement Unit 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday
Shroff Office 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday

 
     For enquiries, please contact the following offices during the above office hours:
 

  • Information and Application Services Unit, Headquarters: 2537 7717 (for civil legal aid services)
  • Information and Application Services Unit, Kowloon Branch Office: 2380 0117
  • Crime Section: 2867 3139
  • Civil Litigation Section 1: 2867 3123
  • Civil Litigation Section 2: 2594 7884
  • Costing Unit and Enforcement Unit: 2867 3152

  
     Members of the public may also contact the LAD for other enquiries through its 24-hour hotline (2537 7677), via email (ladinfo@lad.gov.hk) or by fax (2537 5948).
 




Effective Exchange Rate Index

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, March 27, 2020 is 108.6 (down 0.7 against yesterday's index).




Grading of beach water quality released

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (March 27) released the latest grading of water quality for eight gazetted beaches (see Note).     

     Eight beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:           

Big Wave Bay Beach Repulse Bay Beach
Clear Water Bay Second Beach Silver Mine Bay Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach Silverstrand Beach
Golden Beach Stanley Main Beach

 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.

     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.
 
Note: To tie in with the response level under the "Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance" having been raised to the Emergency Response Level and to encourage people to avoid gathering, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that all beaches will continue to be temporarily closed until further notice.




Appointments to Human Resources Planning Commission

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (March 27) announced the re-appointment of 18 incumbent members and the appointment of three new members to the Human Resources Planning Commission (HRPC) with effect from April 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairman of the HRPC, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said, "The Government has been attaching great importance to enhancing and optimising Hong Kong's human capital. In the past two years, the HRPC has discussed various issues pertaining to Hong Kong's human resources and launched a one-stop manpower information portal comprising information on different industries. I am very grateful to members for their support and contribution towards the work of the HRPC. I look forward to continuing our collaboration in developing Hong Kong further into a more diversified economy."

     The HRPC was established on April 1, 2018, to consolidate resources and efforts of the Government and various sectors to examine, review and co-ordinate policies and measures on human resources in a holistic manner. The HRPC launched a new one-stop online manpower information portal (www.talent.gov.hk) on December 1, 2019. The portal consolidates human resources information and data from different sources with a view to providing more comprehensive information to the local labour force, the younger generation in particular, to assist them to make informed choices in respect of career, training and development pathways.

     Below is the membership list of the HRPC with effect from April 1, 2020:
 
Chairman
———–
Chief Secretary for Administration
 
Non-official Members
————————
Professor Edward Chen Kwan-yiu
Miss Vicky Cheung Wai-kar
Professor Gillian Ann Choa
Mr Chow Chung-kong
Ms Cordelia Chung
Ms Sylvia Chung Wai-man
Dr Theresa Cunanan
Mr Gao Yingxin
Mr Ho Wing-cheong
Mr Jack Hsu Chi-kao
Mr Chris Ip Ngo-tung
Mr Law Wai-hung
Mr David Li Chi-ming
Professor Lui Yu-hon
Dr Ng Chau-pei
Mr Siu King-wai
Mr Carlson Tong
Ms Winnie Wong Chi-shun
Dr Yang Yusi
Mrs Betty Yuen So Siu-mai
Dr Allan Zeman
 
Ex-officio Members
———————-
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
Secretary for Education
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Secretary for Food and Health
Secretary for Innovation and Technology
Secretary for Labour and Welfare
Secretary for Security
Commissioner for Census and Statistics
Government Economist
Chairman, Employees Retraining Board
Chairman, Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications
Chairman, Vocational Training Council




Special traffic arrangements for Ching Ming Festival

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate grave sweepers, and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movements and pedestrian safety during Ching Ming Festival.

Hong Kong Island
—————-

(1) Chai Wan

A. Road closure

Phase I

     Vehicles will be allowed to use Cape Collison Road east of Lin Shing Road from 7am to 7pm daily on March 28, April 18, 19, 25, 26 and 30, and May 2 and 3. Special traffic arrangements in Phase II may be implemented when necessary.

Phase II

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 7pm daily on March 29, April 10 to 13, and May 1:

– The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and Crematorium, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
– The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery;
– Wan Tsui Lane;
– Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for green minibus (GMB) route 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Southbound Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M, 16X and 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles with permit, and vehicles heading to Wan Tsui Estate; – Northbound Lin Shing Road, except for GMB route 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit; and
– If necessary, the leftmost lane of northbound Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Fei Tsui Road.

     Depending on traffic condition, taxis and public light buses (PLBs) may be allowed to enter Lin Shing Road and turn right to Cape Collinson Road.

     Special traffic arrangements in Phase III may be implemented when necessary.

Phase III

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 7pm daily on April 4 and 5:

– The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and Crematorium, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
– The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery;
– Wan Tsui Lane;
– Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Southbound Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles with permit, and vehicles heading to Wan Tsui Estate; and
– If necessary, the leftmost lane of northbound Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Fei Tsui Road.

B. Traffic diversions

     In connection with the above road closures, the following roads will be re-routed:

– Cape Collinson Road between its slip road to Crematorium and Shek O Road will be re-routed one-way westbound; and
– Eastern section of Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Fei Tsui Road will be re-routed one-way westbound.

C. No parking

     No parking will be permitted along the following roads:

– Cape Collinson Road;
– Lin Shing Road;
– Shek O Road between Lai Chi Rehabilitation Centre and Tai Tam Road;
– Wan Tsui Road;
– The lay-by along Shek O Road; and
– The lay-by along Tai Tam Road between Shek O Road and Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir.

     Taxis, PLBs and private cars cannot enter Lin Shing Road for Cape Collinson Road, except for vehicles gaining access to Wan Tsui Estate. They will be allowed to drop off passengers at the PLB stand on Fei Tsui Road near the junction with Wan Tsui Road.

     PLBs cannot pick up/set down passengers along Wan Tsui Road between Chai Wan Road and Lin Shing Road.

     Depending on traffic conditions, PLBs may not be allowed to enter Tai Tam Road from Chai Wan Road.

(2) Pok Fu Lam

     Consort Rise between Victoria Road and Bisney Road will be re-routed one-way southbound from 7am to 5pm daily on March 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 11 and 12.

(3) Aberdeen

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 6pm daily on March 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 11 and 12:

– Peel Rise in the vicinity of the Aberdeen Chinese Permanent Cemetery; and
– The slip road from Shek Pai Wan Road leading to the Aberdeen Chinese Permanent Cemetery.

Kowloon
——-

(1) Tseung Kwan O

     The access road leading to Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery will be closed from 5.30am to 6pm daily on March 28, and April 10 to 13, except for special route No. 14S of Kowloon Motor Bus Company, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit.

     The above road will be closed from 5.30am to 8pm daily on March 29, and April 4 and 5.

     Grave-sweepers can go to the cemetery on foot via the access road on Ko Chiu Road or via the footpath with staircases opposite MTR Tiu Keng Leng Station. Those using wheel chairs are advised to enter the cemetery at Ko Chiu Road.

(2) Sai Kung

     Mang Kung Wo Road leading to Kei Pik Shan Cemetery will be closed from 8am to 5pm daily on March 28 and 29, and April 4 and 5, except for vehicles with permit.

(3) Diamond Hill

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 7am to 6pm daily on March 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 and 13:

A. Road closure

– The access road leading to the Diamond Hill Crematorium, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
– The access road between the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour and the China Light and Power (CLP) Sub-station, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
– The access road adjacent to the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour leading to Sze Chen Hall, except for hearses and funeral vehicles;
– Yuk Hok Lane, except for private cars and taxis; and
– Yuk Wah Street east of Tsz Wan Shan Road, except for private cars and taxis.

B. Traffic diversions

– Vehicles must follow southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill for entering or leaving Fung Shing Street or Fu Shan Estate car park;
– Vehicles must follow northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill for entering or leaving Grand View Garden car park;
– Vehicles from eastbound Po Kong Village Road can turn to westbound Yuk Wah Street via the easternmost traffic lane of Tsz Wan Shan (South) Bus Terminus;
– Traffic along westbound Fung Shing Street cannot turn right to northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill;
– Traffic along northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill cannot turn right to eastbound Fung Shing Street;
– Vehicles from Grand View Garden car park cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
– Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to Grand View Garden car park;
– Vehicles from Fu Shan Estate car park cannot turn right to northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill;
– Traffic along northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill cannot turn right to Fu Shan Estate car park;
– Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to Po Kong Village Road School Village car park;
– Vehicles from Po Kong Village Road School Village car park cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
– Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to the unnamed road opposite to Po Leung Lane;
– Traffic along the unnamed road opposite to Po Leung Lane cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
– Vehicles from Tsz Wan Shan (South) Bus Terminus cannot turn right to eastbound Yuk Wah Street, except franchised buses; and
– Traffic along Yuk Wah Crescent cannot turn right to eastbound Yuk Wah Street.

C. Suspension of parking spaces
     
     Parking spaces at the following locations will be suspended:
     
– Metered parking spaces on the unnamed road between the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour and CLP Sub-station;
– Five metered parking spaces in Yuk Wah Street car park; and
– Motorcycle parking spaces at Yuk Wah Street near Yuk Hok Lane.

     Po Kong Village Road School Village car park will be closed and designated as taxi and private car drop-off point from 7am to 6pm daily on April 4 and 5.
     
D. Passengers pick-up and drop-off points

     The pick-up and drop-off points for taxis will be at westbound Fung Shing Street near Fu Yan House of Fu Shan Estate and westbound Yuk Wah Street near Yuk Hok Lane.

     The pick-up and drop-off point for private cars will be at westbound Yuk Wah Street near Yuk Hok Lane.

(4) Cheung Sha Wan

A. Road closure

– The unnamed road leading from Wing Ming Street to the catholic cemetery will be closed from 7am to 7pm daily on March 28 and 29, and April 4 and 5; 
– Wing Ming Street will be closed from 7am to 7pm daily on April 4 and 5; and
– Entrance road to the catholic cemetery on Wing Tak Road will be closed from 7am to 5pm daily on April 4 and 5, except for hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit.

B. No stopping or parking

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented on April 4 and 5:

– Parking will be prohibited on Yu Chau West Street between Castle Peak Road and King Lam Street from 7am to 7pm daily;
– Vehicles are prohibited to drop off or pick up passengers along Yu Chau West Street near Wing Ming Street; and
– Stopping or parking will be prohibited on Ching Cheung Road from 7am to 7pm daily.

C. Suspension of on-street parking spaces

     All parking spaces on Yu Chau West Street; Tai Nan West Street; and King Lam Street and Wing Hong Street between Yu Chau West Street and Tai Nan West Street will be suspended from 7am to 7pm daily on April 4 and 5. 
 
     Members of the public wishing to gain access to the catholic cemetery are advised to use the subway across Ching Cheung Road from the end of Wing Ming Lane. No parking facilities in the cemetery will be open to public use.

New Territories
—————

(1) Wo Hop Shek

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented daily on March 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19:

A. Road closure (daily from 6am to 5pm)

– Kiu Tau Road, except for hearses;
– Ming Yin Road, except for franchised buses;
– Wo Ka Lau Road; and
– All access roads within Wo Hop Shek Cemetery.

B. Traffic diversions

– Traffic along northbound Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon cannot turn right to southbound Pak Wo Road; and
– Traffic along southbound Pak Wo Road near MTR Fanling Station cannot turn right to the car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon.

C. Suspension of parking spaces (daily from 7am to 5pm)

– The car park on Wo Hing Road near Ming Yin Road roundabout, except for taxis;
– The car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon, except for the disabled parking spaces and public buses of the residents’ service route NR112. Depending on prevailing situation, vehicles carrying elderly and disabled passengers may be allowed to use the car park for interchange with shuttle buses heading for the Wo Hop Shek cemetery; and
– Parking spaces on Wah Ming Lane.

(2) Sandy Ridge

     The Frontier Closed Area from Lo Wu Station to Lo Wu Station Road will be open to grave-sweepers between 6am and 6pm daily until April 19.

     The following roads will be closed between 6am and 6pm daily on March 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19:

– Lo Wu Station Road from its junction with Man Kam To Road to a point of about 280 metres west of the same junction, near the cemetery management office, except for vehicles of Lo Wu Village residents and vehicles that are allowed to park at the car park of MTR Lo Wu Station; and
– Sha Ling Road, except for vehicles of Sha Ling residents.

(3) Lau Fau Shan

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 8.45am to 4pm daily on March 29, and April 4 and 5:

– Deep Bay Road between Mong Tseng San Road and Lau Fau Shan roundabout will be re-routed to one-way eastbound;
– Mong Tseng San Road will be re-routed to one-way southbound;
– Traffic along Deep Bay Road from Sha Kiu Tsuen and Mong Tseng Tsuen towards Lau Fau Shan upon reaching Mong Tseng San Road must turn left to Mong Tseng San Road towards Tin Ying Road, except GMB route 35; and
– Traffic along Tin Ying Road cannot enter the slip road heading for Mong Tseng San Road.

(4) Tuen Mun

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented daily from 7am to 7pm on March 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19:

A. Intermittent road closure

– Tsing San Path; and
– The access roads leading to Ching Chung Koon and Ching Chung Sin Yuen.

B. Traffic diversions

– Tsing Chung Koon Road between Tsing Lun Road and San Fuk Road will be re-routed one-way northbound; and
– San Fuk Road between Leung Shun Street and Tsing Chun Koon Road will be re-routed one-way westbound.

C. Passengers pick-up and drop-off points

     Three temporary pick up and drop off points will be set up at northbound Tsing Chung Koon Road opposite to Castle Peak Hospital, northbound Tsing Chung Koon Road opposite to Tuen Mun Hospital, and westbound Tsing Lun Road outside Tuen Mun Hospital.

(5) Kwai Tsing

     Wing Yin Street and Wing Hau Street will be closed from 7am to 5pm daily on March 28, and April 10, 11, 13, 18 and 25, except for hearses and franchised buses. 

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 7am to 5pm daily on March 29, and April 4, 5, 12 and 19, and when necessary:

– Southbound Wing Tak Street between the entrance of City Point and Wing Shun Street, Wing Yin Street, and Wing Shun Street between Wing Tak Street and Kwai Hei Street will be closed, except for hearses, franchised buses, GMBs and taxis;
– Wing Chong Street, Wing Hau Street and Wing Lap Street will be closed; and
– Wing Kei Road between Kwai Hei Street and Wing Kin Road will be re-routed one-way southbound. Vehicles cannot travel via Kwai Hei Street for Wing Kin Road.

(6) Sha Tin

A. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 6pm daily on March 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19:

– Lower Shing Mun Road between Yau On Street and Fu Shan Crematorium, except for hearses, funeral vehicles, GMB route 64K, and vehicles of residents of Pak Tin Areas 2 to 5 and Lakeview Garden; and
– Pai Tau Street west of its junction with Sheung Wo Che Road.

     To Fung Shan Road north of its junction with Pak Lok Path will be closed between 9am and 5pm daily on March 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 and 13, except for vehicles serving residents and people working in To Fung Shan.

B. Suspension of parking spaces

     All metered parking spaces on Yau On Street and Lower Shing Mun Road will be suspended from 7am to 6pm daily on March 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19.

(7) Tsuen Wan

     Lo Wai Road between Lo Wai Pai Lau and Yuen Yuen Institute will be closed from 8am to 5pm daily on March 28 and 29, and April 4 and 5, except for franchised buses, taxis, GMB route 81 and vehicles with permit.

     All metered parking spaces on Lo Wai Road near Yi Pei Chun Road, Lo Wai old bus terminus and outside Yuen Yuen Institute will be suspended from 8am to 5pm daily on March 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, and 10 to 13. Metered parking spaces on Lo Wai Road near Yuen Yuen Institute will also be suspended from 5pm to 8am on the following day daily on March 27 and 28.

(8) Lantau Island

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 6am to 6pm daily on March 28 and 29, and April 4 and 5:

– The closed Tung Chung Road between Shek Mun Kap Road and South Lantau Road will be temporarily opened; and
– All others roads on south Lantau will remain closed, except for vehicles with permit.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precinct of the above areas may be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.