In light of the extension of special work arrangements for government employees and the latest development of the novel coronavirus infection, the Labour Department (LD) announced today (February 8) that the LD will provide limited public services between February 10 (Monday) and February 15 (Saturday). Except those provided by the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA), other counter services will remain suspended.

     The EAA will provide half-day counter services (from 9am to 1pm) from Monday to Friday for receiving applications for licence for employment agencies.

     Two Occupational Health Clinics and Occupational Medicine Units under the department will remain closed. Those who have made service appointments will be individually informed of the alternative arrangements.

     The LD will review the situation in due course and announce the arrangements thereafter.
      
     For enquiries, members of the public can call the LD's 24-hour enquiry hotline at 2717 1771 (the hotline is manned by ''1823'').
     

     Under the Government's special work arrangements to achieve social distancing more effectively whilst providing basic, limited-scale public services, the Inland Revenue Department announced today (February 8) that from February 10 all of its services, except the following, will be suspended:

(1) Business Registration Office
(2) Stamp Office
(3) Central Enquiry Counter, only for enquiries relating to tax clearance for taxpayers leaving Hong Kong

     The above three offices will provide service from 9am to noon on Monday to Friday.

     The department appeals to members of the public for their understanding that the above services will only be provided at a much reduced scale and services in all other areas will not be provided at the service counters. They should also be prepared to experience a longer waiting time before they can be served. The department encourages the public to use its electronic services to handle their tax affairs as far as possible. A list of such services can be found in the Department's website at www.ird.gov.hk/eng/ese/index.htm.

     The department further announced that deadlines for tax payments, lodgement of objections and holdover applications and submission of tax returns and information that fall between January 29 and February 16 will be automatically extended to February 17.

     The department will review the situation and make further announcement where necessary.

     In light of the extension of special work arrangements for government departments and to reduce the risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus in the community, the Land Registry announced today (February 8) that the opening hours of its offices will be adjusted as follows with effect from February 10 (Monday) until further notice to provide basic public services on a limited scale:

(1) between 9am and 1.30pm from Monday to Friday other than a public holiday for the purpose of delivering instruments for registration; and
 
(2) between 9am and 12.30pm from Monday to Friday other than a public holiday for other purposes.
 
     Customers may also deposit documents to be delivered to the Land Registry (excluding (i) instruments to be delivered for registration and (ii) quotations) in the Drop-in Box located near the Information Counter on the Deck Floor, High Block of Queensway Government Offices between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday other than a public holiday.

     ​For quotations, please put them into the Land Registry Quotation Box located in the office of the Land Registry on 28/F, High Block of Queensway Government Offices between 9am and 12.30pm from Monday to Friday other than a public holiday.

​     Under the special work arrangement, customers may expect a longer waiting time for service. Customers are encouraged to conduct land searches through our online search service (www.iris.gov.hk) as far as possible, and visit our offices only if they require services urgently. For enquiries, please call the Land Registry hotline on 3105 0000.

     In view of the latest situation, the special work arrangement for government departments will be extended until February 16 in order to reduce social contacts and the risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus in the community. The Fire Services Department announced today (February 8) that its fire protection units will continue to provide basic and limited public services to members of the public next week. The services include applications for various licences, applications for dangerous goods vehicle inspections, fire service installations acceptance inspections of new buildings and compliance inspections of ventilating systems, processing of building plans, handling of matters relating to building fire safety improvement works, etc.
           
     Meanwhile, the Shroff Office and Receipt and Dispatch Counter of the Licensing and Certification Command Headquarters (located on 5/F, Fire Services Headquarters Building) and the Receipt and Dispatch Counter of the Fire Safety Command Headquarters (located on 7/F) will also provide basic services from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
          
     To reduce social contacts and the risk of the spread of the virus, members of the public are encouraged to settle payments electronically as far as practicable. For further details, please refer to the payment methods contained in the payment notice.
           
     For enquiries regarding licensing matters, please call the hotline 2733 7619 during office hours.
          
     Regarding matters relating to the processing of building plans, building fire safety improvement works, etc, please call the hotline 2170 9665 during office hours.
           
     For complaints regarding fire hazards or dangerous goods, please call the FSD Complaint Hotline 2723 8787.

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.