To align with the special work arrangement for government departments announced by the Government on January 31, the Land Registry announced today (February 1) that all its offices will reopen on February 3 to provide basic public services on a limited scale. 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 much as possible, and visit our offices only if they require services urgently. For enquiries, please call the Land Registry hotline on 3105 0000.

     To align with the special work arrangement announced by the Government on January 31 to reduce the risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus in the community, the Transport Department (TD) announced today (February 1) the provision of limited services to members of the public from February 3 until further notice. Details are as follows:
 
(1) Licensing Offices at Admiralty, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin, and Driving Test Appointment Office at Cheung Sha Wan will open from 10am to 3pm from Monday to Friday for the provision of counter services (except for the direct issue of a full Hong Kong driving licence). Applicants who have made an appointment for a renewal of a full driving licence/vehicle licence or an application for an international driving permit can visit the licensing office concerned on the scheduled appointment day during the opening hours of the licensing office.
 
(2) Public Vehicles Unit at Admiralty will open from 10am to 3pm from Monday to Friday for the provision of counter services.
 
(3) Cross Boundary Unit at Sheung Wan will open from 10am to 3pm from Monday to Friday for the provision of counter services.
 
(4) TD's Vehicle Examination Centres will resume normal services.
 
     To reduce the risk of virus transmission, members of the public are advised to visit the licensing offices to submit applications after the TD's resumption of full services unless there are urgent needs. They can also submit applications by post, drop box, or online. The TD will process the applications as soon as possible.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     As at noon today (February 1), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health (DH) the admission of 69 patients (33 male and 36 female, aged 3 months to 85 years) 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 to the DH for testing. There are still 112 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.

     The Department of Health (DH) today (February 1) announced further adjustments of its services following its earlier announcement on service adjustment in response to the latest developments of the novel coronavirus infection.
 

• The services of three Woman Health Centres under the Family Health Service of the DH will be suspended starting from Monday (February 3). The staff of the centres will make separate arrangements for users with prior appointments.

• AIDS Hotline 2780 2211 and Gay Men HIV Testing Hotline 2117 1069 of the DH's AIDS Counselling and Testing Service will continue to provide telephone counselling services. However, both telephone and online bookings for HIV testing have been suspended until further notice. Those who have already made an appointment for HIV testing by phone or online will not be affected. For enquiries, please contact the above hotlines.

     In addition, in order to enhance infection control measures including minimising pedestrian flows and social contacts, the DH advised that clients' family members and friends should avoid accompanying the clients to visit Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) or other clinics/facilities unless there are special reasons to do so. The DH also advised that:
 

• No more than two parents may accompany 1 month old or below newborn baby to MCHCs; and

• No more than one parent/relative/friend may accompany the service user to clinics/facilities.

     The Public Works Tender Board announced today (February 1) that due to the extension of the special work arrangement of government departments announced by the Government on January 31 in order to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus in the community, the closing time for tenders to be received through the Public Works Tender Box on the 41/F of Queensway Government Offices at 66 Queensway, Hong Kong, by noon next Friday (February 7) will be extended until further notice.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2867 4019 between 9am and 6pm.