To tie in with the response level under the "Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance" being raised to Emergency Response Level, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 28) that the Leisure Link computerised booking system including counter booking, Internet booking and self-service kiosks will be temporarily suspended from tomorrow (January 29) until further notice.

     The Home Affairs Department (HAD) announced today (January 28) that the services below will remain when the special work arrangement for government departments after the Lunar New Year holidays (starting from January 29) is implemented:

• Home Affairs Enquiry Centres (except the Sham Shui Po Home Affairs Enquiry Centre which has been closed earlier for maintenance works), including the service to administer declarations or oaths/affirmations for private use;
• The 18 temporary cold shelters which remain open when the cold weather warning is in force; and
• Estate Beneficiaries Support Services.

     All community halls and community centres, except when being used as temporary cold shelters, will be temporarily closed.

     The Office of the Licensing Authority will be temporarily closed. Any licensing application in connection with hotel, guesthouse and other premises as well as entertainment can be submitted by post or using e-submission.  Application forms and submission details can be found on the webpage of the Office of the Licensing Authority: www.hadla.gov.hk

     For other enquiries, please call HAD’s enquiry hotline at 2835 2500 between 9am and 7pm from Monday to Friday.

     To tie in with the response level under the "Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance" being raised to Emergency Response Level and to avoid people from gathering, a spokesman for the Marine Department announced today (January 28) that, apart from the Central Marine Office, the licensing and port formalities services at the Yau Ma Tei Marine Office, Tuen Mun Marine Office, Sai Kung Marine Office, Tai Po Marine Office, Aberdeen Marine Office, Cheung Chau Marine Office and Shau Kei Wan Marine Office; the seafarers' examination and certification services; mercantile marine services; local vessel surveying services as well as its enquiry services will be suspended starting tomorrow (January 29) until further notice. Those who have made an appointment for services or examinations will be separately informed of alternative arrangements.
      
     Other services provided by the MD will remain unaffected.
      

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
     Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
     In view of public health consideration, the Judiciary announced today (January 28) that all hearings of the courts/tribunals originally scheduled from tomorrow (January 29) to February 2 are adjourned.
 
     Court/tribunal registries and offices are also closed during this period.
 
     Urgent hearings will be dealt with in accordance with the established mechanism.

     With regard to Internet rumours that the Government has listed face mask products as prohibited articles after taking into account political consideration, a spokesman for Hong Kong Customs today (January 28) clarified that the rumours are unfounded.

     Customs has all along been making use of risk-profiling and intelligence analysis to carry out customs clearance over passenger, cargo, conveyance and postal article at various control points pursuant to relevant legislation to combat the import and export of controlled/prohibited items into and out of Hong Kong.

     Since surgical mask is not included in the lists of controlled/prohibited items, Customs would not hinder importation of such products into Hong Kong legally.

     Full lists of controlled/prohibited items are specified in the relevant legislation. A summary list of such articles is available on the Hong Kong Customs website (www.customs.gov.hk/en/trade_facilitation/prohibited_articles/index.html) for reference by members of the public.