To align with the announcement by the Government yesterday (March 21) to provide essential, emergency and limited public services only starting from tomorrow (March 23) in order to reduce the risk of a large-scale outbreak of COVID-19 in the community, the Official Receiver's Office (ORO) announced today (March 22) that it will provide limited basic public services to members of the public from tomorrow until further notice as follows:
 
     All offices of the ORO will be open between 9.30am and 12.30pm and between 2pm and 4pm from Monday to Friday. The office hours and arrangements for specific public services are as follows:
 

     The waiting and processing times for the services provided by the ORO may be longer as the provision of services is scaled down. The ORO will review the arrangements from time to time and make necessary adjustments where appropriate.
 
     To achieve social distancing with a view to reducing the risk of the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the community, members of the public are encouraged to avoid going to the offices of the ORO as far as possible. For the delivery of documents to the ORO, members of the public are encouraged to make use of the ORO's designated drop-in box on the Deck Floor of QGO, and to avoid going to its office on 10/F unless it is absolutely necessary. They can also make use of the electronic services of the ORO and contact the ORO by:
 

1. telephone (hotline number: 2867 2448);
2. email (oroadmin@oro.gov.hk); or
3. fax (fax number: 3105 1814).

     
     Members of the public who have appointments with the ORO will be notified of an alternative appointment date as soon as possible.
 
     As for the meetings of creditors, meetings of contributories and adjournment thereof, creditors and contributories are recommended to lodge their proxy with the ORO by way of fax at 3105 1814 and avoid attending a meeting in person. The proxy forms can be accessed at the ORO's website (www.oro.gov.hk/eng/pforms/pforms.htm). Members of the public are also advised not to attend such meetings unless it is absolutely necessary.
 
     For any enquiries, please contact the ORO through its hotline at 2867 2448.

     In light of special work arrangements for government departments and the latest development of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (March 22) that starting from tomorrow (March 23), licensing services and reception counters at Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices and the Marine Parks Office at CDW Building, 388 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan will provide basic and limited public services to members of the public. Relevant services will be provided on Tuesday and Thursday, from 9.30am to noon and 2pm to 5pm, until further notice.

     The AFCD appeals to the public to use the above counter services only when in urgent need. Members of the public are encouraged to handle their licence or permit applications through email, post or fax. Relevant documents can also be put in the drop-in box at the ground floor of Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices. For detailed information and contacts, please refer to the AFCD website: www.afcd.gov.hk.

     Moreover, the anti-rabies dog inoculation and dog licensing services at the Animal Management Centres under the AFCD will be provided on Tuesday and Thursday, from 9.30am to noon and 2pm to 4.30pm, whereas all other Anti-Rabies Dog Inoculation and Licensing Centres will be closed until further notice. For details, please visit the designated website: www.pets.gov.hk.

     Meanwhile, AFCD public facilities which has been reopened earlier will be temporarily closed again from tomorrow, including the Hong Kong Wetland Park, eight Country Park Visitor/Education Centres, seven Hong Kong Geopark Park Visitor Centres and the Endangered Species Resources Centre and school and public programmes will also be cancelled until further notice.

     For enquiries, please call the AFCD on 2708 8885.

The following press release is issued on behalf of the Independent Commission Against Corruption:
 
     To align with the Government's latest measures to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19 in the community, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced today (March 22) that starting from March 23, the Commission will provide essential, emergency and limited public services only.
 
     The 24-hour ICAC Report Centre at the ICAC Building and the report corruption hotline (2526 6366) will continue to be in operation to receive corruption complaints or enquiries from the public.
 
     The Corruption Prevention Advisory Service hotline (2526 6363) and email cpas@cpd.icac.org.hk will continue to operate. The Business Ethics Development Centre hotline (2826 3288) will also maintain its services.
 
     Unless there are special operational needs, ICAC staff who are not providing the said public services will work from home.
 
     All ICAC Regional Offices will also be closed.
 
     The above measures will take effect from March 23 until further notice.
 
     The ICAC apologises for any inconvenience caused to the public.

     To tie in with the Government's announcement on once again adjusting public services and making special work arrangements for civil servants, and only to provide essential, emergency and limited basic services from March 23 (Monday), a spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said today (March 22) that the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) under the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing) will provide drop-in boxes to receive building control applications related to building plan submissions under the Building Ordinance and the specified forms and supporting documents required to be submitted under the Minor Works Control System, the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme and the Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme from March 23. Applicants can place their submissions in the drop-in boxes located at 8/F, Lung Cheung Office Block, Lung Cheung Road, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon, from 10am to 4pm during the period from Monday to Friday. The ICU will issue receipts/acknowledgements of the submissions in due course.

     For emergency reports and general enquiries, people may call 1823 or inform the ICU by email, fax or post:

Email: icuebt@hd.gov.hk
Mailing address: 8/F, Lung Cheung Office Block, Lung Cheung Road, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon
Fax: 3162 0069

     In light of the Government's announcement on the special work arrangements for civil servants to reduce social contacts, the offices of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (WFSFAA) will adjust the service arrangements from tomorrow (March 23) and provide limited services to the public until further notice.

     The service counters of the Student Finance Office (SFO) at the Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices as well as the Trade and Industry Tower will be open from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday to receive applications for loans under student finance schemes from those who have made prior bookings through the online system of the SFO. Approved applicants for student loans who have been notified by the SFO may also collect their cheque payments at the service counter at the Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices.

     The service counters of the Working Family Allowance Office (WFAO) at Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong, and its Caring and Sharing Scheme Division at Pioneer Centre, Mong Kok, will be open from 10am to 4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

     Members of the public may submit their applications by post, online, or through the drop-in boxes at SFO and WFAO.

     For enquiries, please contact the WFSFAA through the following channels:

     1. Student Finance Office: email (wg_sfo@wfsfaa.gov.hk); general hotline (2802 2345); cheque payment collection hotline (2150 6220);
     2. Working Family Allowance Office: email (enquiry_wfao@wfsfaa.gov.hk); hotline (2558 3000); and
     3. Caring and Sharing Scheme Division: email (careandshare@wfsfaa.gov.hk); hotline (3897 1088).