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 avoid people from gathering, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (January 28) that the following AFCD public facilities will be temporarily closed from tomorrow (January 29) and school and public programmes will also be cancelled until further notice:

     1. Hong Kong Wetland Park
     2. Eight Country Park Visitor / Education Centres including Woodside Biodiversity Education Centre, Ngong Ping Nature Centre, Lions Nature Education Centre (except outdoor exhibition area), Shing Mun Country Park Visitor Centre, Aberdeen Tree Centre, Clear Water Bay Country Park Visitor Centre, Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre and Sai Kung Country Park Visitor Centre (except reception counter for permit application)
     3. Seven Hong Kong Geopark Park Visitor Centres, including Hong Kong Geopark Visitor Centre, Sai Kung Volcano Discovery Centre, Lai Chi Wo Geoheritage Centre, Tai Po Geoheritage Centre, Ap Chau Story Room, Kau Sai Village Story Room and Kat O Story Room
     4. Endangered Species Resources Centre
     
     For enquiries, please call the AFCD on 2708 8885.

     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 Information Services Department today (January 28) announced that the sales counter services of the department's Publications Sales Unit and Photo Library at North Point Government Offices will be temporarily suspended from tomorrow (January 29) until further notice.
 
     The public can continue to purchase government publications and government photos on the Online Government Bookstore (www.bookstore.gov.hk) and the online Government Photo Store (www.photostore.gov.hk) respectively.

     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 avoid people from gathering, the Narcotics Division announced today (January 28) that the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre will be temporarily closed from tomorrow (January 29) until further notice. All activities and guided tour services will be cancelled during the closure period.
 

     Regarding online circulation of a "school letter issued by the Education Bureau (EDB)" stating that the Bureau has announced the class resumption date will be postponed to February 27, an EDB spokeman clarified today (January 28) that the information is a complete fabrication. He reiterated that all schools, including kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and special schools, will extend their Chinese New Year holidays to February 16 (i.e. class resumption on February 17).

     During the period, the EDB will continue to assess the situation in Hong Kong and will issue formal announcements, when necessary.

     The spokesman appealed to all walks of life to fight against disease together. No one should make fabrications when Hong Kong is facing a difficult time amid an epidemic outbreak, and cause confusion to school personnel, students and parents.

     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 avoid people from gathering, a spokesman for the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) announced today (January 28) that the Civil Engineering Library will be temporarily closed from tomorrow (January 29) until further notice. Details of the re-opening schedule will be announced on the CEDD website in due course.