The cold weather warning has been issued. In view of the novel coronavirus infection, the Home Affairs Department has opened temporary shelters in 13 districts today (February 15) for people in need of the service.
 
     The temporary shelters will remain open during the daytime tomorrow (February 16) when the cold weather warning is still in force.
 
     To ensure that cold shelter users can rest in a quiet and undisturbed environment, members of the public or agencies wishing to make donations to shelter users are requested to register with the staff of the shelter first. Donors will then be directed to place the donated items at a specified indoor location. The staff will help notify the shelter users to collect the items on their own.
 
     Anyone seeking temporary refuge, or those who have any questions about the donation arrangements at the cold shelters may call the department's hotline 2572 8427 for more information.
 
     The 13 temporary cold shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
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Central and Western:
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex, 2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern:
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Wan Chai:
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
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Kowloon City:
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices, 42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong:
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po:
Nam Cheong District Community Centre
1 Cheong San Lane, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin:
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong:
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories:
—————-
 
Kwai Tsing:
Tai Wo Hau Estate Community Centre
15 Tai Wo Hau Road, Kwai Chung
 
Tai Po:
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan:
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun:
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long:
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long

     In response to the latest development of the spread of the novel coronavirus, Hongkong Post announced today (February 15) the arrangements on postal services from February 17 to February 23 following the service adjustment announced earlier on February 11.
      
     The volume of inbound mail for this week (i.e. February 10 to February 15) continues to outpace the usual volume by 70 per cent to 80 per cent, around 70 per cent of which is Speedpost items and about 40 000 of the items contain surgical masks. Despite that, Hongkong Post completed the delivery of this batch of mail within this week, and foresees that the mail volume will continue to stay at a high level and that the number of items containing surgical masks will remain more or less the same.
      
     In view of the urgent public need for these items, and that such items are generally larger in size, Hongkong Post will completely resume daily mail delivery service from Monday to Saturday for the following week. Hongkong Post will also maintain normal posting and delivery service for Speedpost items from Monday through Saturday to facilitate the delivery of such items received during this period. Hongkong Post will continue to uphold the principle of according top priority in processing Speedpost items containing surgical masks. Hongkong Post will also call the recipients prior to delivery to ascertain their choice for door delivery or collection from the post office.
      
     In view of the increasing demand for counter services by the public, all post offices will continue to open from 11am to 3pm from Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 1pm on Saturday, during which all forms of counter services will be available (mobile post office services will be suspended). Mail collection from posting boxes will be maintained on alternate days.
      
     As the opening hours of post offices have been shortened, members of the public requiring counter services may expect a longer waiting time. Meanwhile, services for inbound and outbound mail may be subject to delays due to the reduction in the flight frequencies of airlines. Members of the public are advised to visit the Hongkong Post website (www.hongkongpost.hk/en/about_us/whats_new/service_delay_suspension/index.html) for the latest updates.
      
     Hongkong Post will review the arrangements on postal services from time to time and make necessary adjustments taking into account of the mail volume.
      
     For further enquiries, please call the Hongkong Post Enquiry Hotline at 2921 2222.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

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

     The Marine Department today (February 15) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported.

     Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

     Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly.

     Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67.

     In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

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

     At around 3:30pm today (February 15), rioters suddenly stormed the Tin Sau Light Rail Stop and set fire on the facilities therein during a public procession in Tin Shui Wai. They even poured suspected flammable liquid onto the blaze. Some rioters threw rubbish bins onto a track while a train was passing through the adjacent track, endangering public safety.

     Police warn all rioters to stop unlawful acts. Police will take resolute law enforcement actions. The organiser already announced the conclusion of the public procession. Participants are reminded to remain rational and leave the scene in a peaceful and orderly manner.

Attention Duty Announcers, Radio and TV Stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:

     With the approach of cold weather, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) reminds the elderly to take precautionary measures during the cold spell. Relatives, friends and neighbours are encouraged to show concern and care for the health of frail elderly persons, particularly those living alone. Those in need may call the SWD hotline at 2343 2255 for assistance.