The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (February 9) the provision of basic and limited public services from February 10 to 16 as follows:
 

 
     The abovementioned offices will provide services during normal opening hours. For detailed opening hours of individual offices, please refer to ImmD's official website or mobile application. Meanwhile, other ImmD offices, including all Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres, and other public services will be temporarily closed and suspended.
 
     Immigration control points, except for the arrangement made by the Government's separate announcement, will maintain normal operations. The 1868 hotline will continue to operate as normal to provide practicable assistance for Hong Kong residents in distress outside Hong Kong.
      
     The measures will be implemented tentatively until February 16 and will be reviewed according to the situation. Detailed arrangements will be announced in due course. Those who have made an appointment for immigration services may proceed to respective offices afterwards for relevant applications without the need of making a new appointment.
 
     For enquiries, please contact the ImmD by calling the enquiry hotline at 2824 6111 or by email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk.

     With regard to a report of an online magazine today (February 9) which alleged that police officers attending a banquet at a restaurant in Hung Hom in the evening of February 7 as “Police and triads appear on the same occasion”, Police note that the report distorted the facts and hereby make the following clarification:
      
     The banquet referred to in the report was a private dinner which was held after office hours at the officers’ own expense. It did not involve official duties and public funds and the officers were not required to report duty after the dinner.  The officers attending the event that night did not know the identities of other customers in the restaurant and also did not have any contact or communication with the customers in the other rooms.
      
     Police express deep regret over the report which intentionally gave a perception that the event was related to lawbreakers.  The groundless accusations are ill-willed and sensational with intentions to smear the Police Force.  Police point out seriously that Police always stand against triads. Police have a full-fledged strategy in combatting triads, planning undercover operations from time to time, as well as proactively blocking the income source and criminal proceeds of triads.
      
     Police severely condemn the irresponsible and unfounded report of that online magazine.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (February 9), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of 29 patients (13 male and 16 female, aged four to 93) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of severe respiratory disease associated with a novel infectious agent. Specimens of the patients concerned have been sent for testing. There are still 50 patients under isolation.
 
     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Yellow fire danger warning

     The fire danger situation today (February 9) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.