In line 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 prevent people from gathering, a spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (January 28) that the following public facilities of the EDB will be temporarily closed to the public from tomorrow (January 29) until further notice:
       
1. Hong Kong Teachers' Centre, Special Education Resource Centre, Central Resources Centre and Young Achievers' Gallery located at Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre
2. Arts and Technology Education Centre (including STEM Education Centre)
3. School Places Allocation Section
4. Qualifications Framework Secretariat
 
     As for the appointments already made for hearing services at Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre and related emergency services, the services will be provided as scheduled. The EDB will also contact the parents concerned and make necessary arrangements based on the situation of inbridual cases.
 
     The spokesman added, "All Regional Education Offices and the Joint Office for Kindergartens and Child Care Centres will continue to provide emergency services and essential public services. Members of the public who need these services may contact the service units concerned in advance. The School Places Allocation Section will also provide limited hotline services to handle enquiries."

The following is issued on behalf of the Town Planning Board:

     Following the activation of the Emergency Response Level under the "Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance", and to minimise the risk of spread of the novel coronavirus, the reception counter services of the Town Planning Board Secretariat at 15/F, North Point Government Offices will be temporarily suspended from tomorrow (January 29) until further notice.

     For enquiries, please call the Secretariat on 2231 4810.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Secretariat announced today (January 28) that special arrangements for the LegCo Secretariat will be implemented after the Lunar New Year holidays (starting from January 29) in order to reduce the risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus in the community. Except for meetings to be held on Thursday and Friday (January 30 and 31), all public services in the LegCo Complex, including the Public Complaints Office, Library, Archives and the LegCo Cafeteria will be suspended. Staff other than those on essential duties are not required to return to the offices but to work at home.
   
     The LegCo Panel on Health Services will hold a special meeting from 10.45 am to 12.45 pm, and the Duty Roster Members will meet with a deputation at 3pm on Thursday (January 30).  The LegCo Finance Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting from 8.45 am to 12.45 pm and from 2.30 pm to 7pm on Friday (January 31).
        
     The aforementioned measures will be implemented tentatively until Sunday (February 2).  The Secretariat will make further announcements in due course.

     The Government Logistics Department (GLD) announces that due to the special work arrangement of Government departments announced by the Government today (January 28) in order to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus in the community, the closing time for tenders to be received through the Government Logistics Department Tender Box from noon this Wednesday (January 29) to this Friday (January 31) will be extended until further notice.

     For enquiries, please call 2231 5398 between 9am and 6pm.

     In response to the latest development of novel coronavirus infection, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced on January 25 that the response level under the "Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance" has been raised to Emergency Response Level. As such, the Department of Health (DH) today (January 28) announced that, non-urgent services under the DH will be gradually adjusted starting from tomorrow (January 29).
 
     At this stage, the Student Health Service and School Dental Care Service will be adjusted as follows:
 

• On Student Health Service: A total of 13 Student Health Service Centres (SHSCs), including Special Assessment Centres, of the DH will be suspended starting tomorrow. Staff of the SHSCs will contact students with appointments or their parents within four weeks from the initial check-up date to reschedule a new appointment. For enquiries, please contact respective SHSC.

• On School Dental Care Service: School Dental Clinics will remain open with limited consultation service. For enquiries, please contact respective clinic. 

     While other DH's clinic services and consultations by scheduled appointments will be maintained, there will be adjustments on some non-urgent services. For enquiries, please contact the relevant clinic and service units. If those with appointments may not be able to attend their scheduled consultation due to special situations, they can call the clinics to reschedule the appointments later. There is no need to worry and rush for the consultation appointments.
 
     Meanwhile, the DH will strengthen infection control measures at all clinics and service units. Of which, all patients with appointments or visitors must put on surgical masks and have their body temperature checked. Staff will be reminded to conduct necessary infection control measures.