Announcement by Judiciary

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
     The Judiciary today (March 20) announced that the General Adjourned Period (GAP), which began on January 29, will end on March 22. Court business, unless otherwise indicated, will generally resume on March 23.
 
     The Judiciary previously announced that GAP would end on March 22 if public health situation permits. Having considered the latest public health situation and all the other relevant factors, the Judiciary considers that while GAP may end on March 22 as scheduled, enhanced health preventive measures would need to be introduced for court proceedings and court users coming to court buildings. Moreover, some of the measures introduced during GAP to reduce people flow and crowds at court buildings will need to continue until further notice.
 
Resumption of court proceedings
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     Court proceedings will generally resume on March 23 unless they are adjourned pursuant to specific directions by the court. To ensure an orderly resumption of court proceedings, an appropriate buffer period would be provided before hearings, particularly trials, are to be resumed. Parties concerned, be they legally represented or litigants in person, will be given clear notifications and sufficient lead time for preparation of their cases, regardless of whether the hearings are to be re-fixed or proceed as scheduled.
 
     Those who have been summoned for jury empanelment in the High Court and the Coroner's Court during GAP are not required to attend court until further notice in writing.

     Court registries/offices have been re-opened in a staggered and progressive manner since March 9. Business of the registries previously suspended will resume normal from March 23.  Furthermore, the Judiciary's other offices providing services to court users and the public will also re-open. However, the Canteen in the High Court Building and the Tuck Shop in the West Kowloon Law Court Building will also remain closed until further notice having regard to public health considerations.
 
Preventive and crowd management measures
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     Having struck a careful balance between public health considerations and the orderly resumption of court proceedings and registry services, the Judiciary will continue to put in place appropriate preventive and crowd management measures for the health protection of all people who enter and remain in the court premises. Court users are required to have their body temperature taken and wear a surgical mask before they are allowed to enter and remain in the court premises.

     To support the above arrangements, necessary queuing, ticketing and triage system, as well as security controls to limit the number of court users entering and remaining in the Judiciary premises, will be put in place as appropriate. To maintain social distancing, the seating capacity of courtrooms and lobbies are reduced by about 50 per cent. In addition, capacity limits are set for confined areas such as registries and offices to avoid crowding of users.

     Parties, legal representatives and other court users are reminded that they should not come to the Judiciary premises to attend court proceedings or conduct businesses at court registry/office if they are subject to quarantine requirement or medical surveillance of the Government. Court users who are subject to any quarantine requirement or medical surveillance of the Government should as soon as practicable apply to the court for permission of absence or inform the court with reasons for absence as appropriate.

     Information on the detailed arrangements will be provided and uploaded onto the Judiciary website. Court users are strongly advised to check the updated information on the Judiciary website, and follow the advice of the Judiciary staff and security personnel when they attend court premises for court business.

     The Judiciary will remain vigilant and continue to review if any further refinements to the above arrangements would be needed in the light of any changes in the public health situation. The Judiciary will also continue to engage the stakeholders and keep the court users posted as appropriate.
 
Enquiries and information updates
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     For general enquiries, the following hotlines will be operated from Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm:
 

  • General Information: 2869 0869
  • Court of Final Appeal: 2123 0123
  • High Court: 2523 2212
  • Probate: 2840 1683
  • District Court: 2845 5696
  • Family Court: 2840 1218
  • Lands Tribunal: 2771 3034
  • Labour Tribunal: 2625 0020
  • Small Claims Tribunal: 2877 4068
  • Magistrates' Courts: 2677 8373
  • Bailiff Section: 2802 7510
  • Court Language Section: 2388 1364
     

     The Judiciary will continue to post updated information, including Daily Cause Lists, messages related to the Judiciary's arrangements arising from public health considerations, and advice to court users visiting the courts, on the Judiciary website (www.judiciary.hk). Court users are advised to check the website for updated information as necessary.




Anti-epidemic Fund begins disbursing subsidies to arts and culture sector

     â€‹A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) said today (March 20) that to assist the arts and culture sector to tackle the difficulties arising from the COVID-19 epidemic, the Government allocated $150 million under the Anti-epidemic Fund for launching the "Arts and Culture Sector Subsidy Scheme" to support various arts organisations and freelance arts workers. The first batch of subsidies has been disbursed to the venue partners of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, grantees of the HAB's Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme, and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum this week. The HAB will also arrange funding disbursements to the nine major performing arts groups in March. These arts groups will make use of the subsidies to pay the salaries of their staff, contractors and freelance workers as much as possible.
 
     The HAB has also entrusted the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) to disburse subsidies. The HKADC has launched the "Support Scheme for Arts and Cultural Sector" in March and has released $80,000 to 40 HKADC-grantees, as well as $15,000 to about half of the HKADC-funded/-commissioned project grantees. The HKADC plans to complete funding disbursements to about 200 project grantees in March. These arts groups will also make use of the subsidies to pay the salaries of their staff, contractors and freelance workers as much as possible. This Scheme will also cover non-HKADC-funded projects and freelancers. Relevant application forms are now uploaded to the HKADC’s website at www.hkadc.org.hk.
 
     The HAB is now discussing with the Hong Kong Arts Festival Society and the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong regarding the details of the relief fund.




Hong Kong Customs arrests man and woman operating money changer without licence

     Hong Kong Customs today (March 20) arrested one man and one woman in Sham Shui Po in connection with a case detected earlier this week on suspected contravention of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (AMLO).

     Customs suspended two licences of a money service operator (MSO) operating seven money changers on March 16 and 17. The female MSO was also suspected of operating another unlicensed money changer in Sham Shui Po.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs took action again today to conduct further investigation into the money changers involved and arrested the female MSO, who was suspected of operating an unlicensed money changer and whose licences had been suspended. 

     A man suspected of participating in the business of the money changer was also arrested today.

     The arrested man and woman, aged 57 and 51 respectively, are now being detained for further investigation. A batch of foreign currency exchange records and remittance records was also seized for investigation.

     The money changers involved are situated in Sham Shui Po, Mong Kok and Cheung Sha Wan. Customs suspended the licences of the MSO with immediate effect earlier this week for suspected contravention of the AMLO. The MSO has failed to take all reasonable measures, including the customer due diligence (such as examining the identification of customers and remittance purposes) and record-keeping requirements, to mitigate money laundering and terrorist financing risks, and consequently can no longer be a fit and proper person to operate a money service.

     Customs has also reminded the persons involved to process the outstanding transactions and payments in an appropriate manner.

     Investigation into the case is being conducted according to the AMLO.

     Customs reiterates that the department has all along been enforcing the monitoring work of MSOs and conducting compliance regulations and investigations. All licensed money service operators should comply with the requirements of the AMLO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for seven years. Consumers are reminded to procure services from licensed money service operators. The register of licensees is accessible from the website of Customs' Money Service Operators Licensing System at eservices.customs.gov.hk/MSOS/wsrh/001s1?request_locale=en.

     MSOs must comply with the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) when providing money services to customers. Customs will continue to take appropriate enforcement measures if a violation of the TDO is found.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the AMLO or the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).




Recall of Esmya Tablets 5mg (with photo)

     The Department of Health (DH) today (March 20) endorsed a licensed wholesale dealer, Orient Europharma Co Ltd (OEP), to voluntarily recall a pharmaceutical product, Esmya 5mg Tablets (Hong Kong registration number: HK-62553) from patients due to the potential risk of liver injury.
 
     The DH has been monitoring the safety of Esmya since December 2017, when the European Medicines Agency (EMA) started a review on Esmya following reports of serious liver injury, and healthcare professionals have been alerted to the risk. Following the EMA’s further recommendation on March 13 this year that women taking Esmya and its generic products for uterine fibroids should stop taking it, the DH has also issued a letter to healthcare professionals informing them about the EMA's announcement.
 
     Based on the latest EMA recommendation, OEP decided to recall the affected product from patients as a precautionary measure.
 
     The product concerned, containing 5mg ulipristal acetate, is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of uterine fibroids. According to OEP, the product has been supplied to the Hospital Authority, private hospitals, local private doctors and pharmacies. Some products have also been exported to Macao.
    
     OEP has set up a hotline (2578 7080) to answer related enquiries.
 
     "So far, the DH has not received any adverse reaction report in connection with the product. The DH will closely monitor the recall," a spokesman for the DH said.
 
     "People who are taking the above product should stop using the medicine and consult their healthcare professionals for appropriate arrangements," the spokesman added.

Photo  



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
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(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 21 and 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 22 and 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 21, 22, 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 21, 22, 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
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(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 21, 22 and 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.

New Territories
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(1) Wo Hop Shek

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented daily on March 21, 22, 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 from March 21 to April 19.

     The following roads will be closed between 6am and 6pm daily on March 21, 22, 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 21, 22, 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 21 and 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 22 and 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 21, 22, 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 21, 22, 28 and 29, and April 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19.
 
     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.