A Government spokesman announced today (January 28) that special work arrangement for government departments 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 staff of the departments providing emergency services and essential public services, all other employees of the Government are not required to return to the offices but to work at home after the holidays.

     The measure will be implemented tentatively until February 2. The Government will review the situation before then.

     The spokesman appealed to private sector organisations to make similar arrangements as far as practicable.

     Individual government departments will announce the public services affected separately.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Yellow fire danger warning

     The fire danger situation today (January 28) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.

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.

     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 Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced today (January 28) that the following EPD public facilities will be temporarily closed from tomorrow (January 29) and visitor and education programmes at Community Green Stations will be cancelled until further notice:

1. WEEE•PARK visitor centre
2. T•PARK visitor centre
3. EcoPark visitor centre
4. Environmental Resource Centres (namely Wan Chai Environmental Resource Centre, Fanling Environmental Resource Centre, Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre and Mobile Environmental Resource Centre)
5. Visitor and education programmes at Community Green Stations

     "We will inform members of the public who have made advance booking for some of the EPD public facilities about the temporary closure via SMS, Facebook or other channels.  Details of the re-opening schedule will be announced on the websites of the facilities in due course," the spokesman added.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 28) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.