Police will implement special traffic arrangements this Sunday (January 5) to facilitate a public order event to be held on Hong Kong Island.

A. Road closure

From 7am:

– Stadium Path.

From 8am:

– Northbound Caroline Hill Road between Link Road and Eastern Hospital Road;
– Uphill Link Road between Caroline Hill Road and Broadwood Road;
– Downhill Broadwood Road between Link Road and Tai Hang Road;
– Downhill Broadwood Road between Link Road and Ventris Road;
– Southbound Tai Hang Road between Broadwood Road and upper Blue Pool Road, except for access by local residents, franchised buses and green mini-buses (GMBs);
– Eastbound Tai Hang Road between Broadwood Road and lower Blue Pool Road, except for access by local residents, franchised buses and GMBs;
– Mount Butler Road between Tai Hang Road and Price Road;
– Leftmost lane of uphill Wong Nai Chung Gap Road between the French International School and the Hong Kong Girl Guides Sandilands Centreï¼›and
– If necessary, Eastern Hospital Road between Caroline Hill Road and Cotton Path.

B. Traffic diversions

From 7.30am:

– Caroline Hill Road between Leighton Road and Stadium Path will be re-routed one-way southbound; and
– Eastern Hospital Road between Stadium Path and Tung Lo Wan Road will be re-routed one-way northbound.

From 8am:

– Traffic along southbound Caroline Hill Road cannot turn right to uphill Link Road;
– Link Road between Broadwood Road and Caroline Hill Road will be maintained one-way downhill. Traffic along downhill Link Road may not be allowed to turn right at the junction of Link Road and Caroline Hill Road and that of Caroline Hill Road and Leighton Road;
– Broadwood Road between Link Road and Tai Hang Road will be maintained one-way uphill southbound. Traffic along Broadwood Road will be diverted to northbound Tai Hang Road;
– Traffic along southbound Tai Hang Road will be diverted to Perkins Road or make a U-turn to northbound Tai Hang Road;
– Traffic along eastbound Tai Hang Road and lower westbound Blue Pool Road will be diverted to westbound Tai Hang Road, except for access by local residents, franchised bus routes No.41A and 11, and GMB routes No.14M and 24M;
– Mount Butler Road between Mount Butler Drive and Price Road will be re-routed one-way downhill; and
– If necessary, traffic along northbound Caroline Hill Road cannot turn right to Eastern Hospital Road.

From 9.30am:

– Traffic along Stubbs Road cannot enter the Wan Chai Gap Park area and will be diverted to Magazine Gap Road and Coombe Road.

C. Suspension of parking spaces
     
     All parking spaces on Stadium Path, Caroline Hill Road and Hoi Ping Road will be suspended from 6am to 12 noon.

     All parking spaces on Coombe Road will be suspended from 6am to 3pm.

D. Prohibition to learner drivers
     
     The following roads will be prohibited to all learner drivers from 6am to 3pm:

– Tai Hang Road;
– Leighton Road;
– Sharp Street East;
– Percival Street south of Hennessy Road;
– Caroline Hill Road;
– Link Road;
– Stadium Path;
– Cotton Path;
– Eastern Hospital Road;
– Eastern Hospital Road service road;
– Broadwood Road;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Gap Road;
– Southbound Stubbs Road flyover;
– Aberdeen Reservoir Road; and
– Yue Kwong Road.
     
     All vehicles parked illegally may be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 3) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and strongly urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From December 27 last year to January 2 this year, the CHP recorded one imported DF case. The patient had been to Thailand during the incubation period.

     In 2019, 198 cases were recorded (comprising 197 imported cases and one local case), as compared with 163 cases recorded in 2018. The imported cases in 2019 were mainly from Thailand (34), Malaysia (27) and the Philippines (25). In 2020 (as of January 2), no DF case has been recorded so far.

     The CHP has been closely monitoring the latest DF situation in neighbouring and overseas areas. DF is endemic in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world. According to the World Health Organization, some Asian countries were experiencing unusually high numbers of DF cases in 2019. The numbers of cases in some countries were significantly higher than the numbers in 2018, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
   
     Separately, according to the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, as of November 30 last year, a total of 5 986 cases had been recorded in Guangdong in 2019, which was significantly higher than that in the same period in 2018 (3 250 cases). In Taiwan, 637 cases (including 100 local cases) had been recorded in 2019.

     Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas has been uploaded to the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf). Members of the public should stay vigilant and carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures.

     ​"Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

     DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 3) released the latest grading of water quality for four gazetted beaches that are open all year round for swimming.     
   
     Four beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:  
       

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, there was no change in the grading for these beaches.
      
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.
      
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (January 3).

     The value of total retail sales in November 2019, provisionally estimated at $30.0 billion, decreased by 23.6% compared with the same month in 2018. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in October 2019 decreased by 24.4% compared with a year earlier. For the first eleven months of 2019 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales decreased by 10.3% compared with the same period in 2018.

     After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in November 2019 decreased by 25.4% compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the volume of total retail sales in October 2019 decreased by 26.4% compared with a year earlier. For the first eleven months of 2019 taken together, the provisional estimate of the total retail sales decreased by 11.4% in volume compared with the same period in 2018.

     Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing November 2019 with November 2018, the value of sales of electrical goods and other consumer durable goods, not elsewhere classified decreased by 18.6%. This was followed by sales of commodities in department stores (-32.9% in value); jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (-43.5%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-11.0%); wearing apparel (-31.9%); medicines and cosmetics (-33.4%); other consumer goods, not elsewhere classified (-18.6%); motor vehicles and parts (-11.9%); furniture and fixtures (-12.2%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-31.5%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-20.8%); Chinese drugs and herbs (-23.4%); and optical shops (-27.9%).

     On the other hand, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets increased by 2.6% in November 2019 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of fuels (+11.2% in value).

     Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimates of both the value and the volume of total retail sales decreased by 11.2% in the three months ending November 2019 compared with the preceding three-month period.

     These retail sales statistics measure the sales receipts in respect of goods sold by local retail establishments and are primarily intended for gauging the short-term business performance of the local retail sector. Data on retail sales are collected from local retail establishments through the Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS). Local retail establishments with and without physical shops are covered in MRS and their sales, both through conventional shops and online channels, are included in the retail sales statistics.

     The retail sales statistics cover consumer spending on goods but not on services (such as those on housing, catering, medical care and health services, transport and communication, financial services, education and entertainment) which account for over 50% of the overall consumer spending. Moreover, they include spending on goods in Hong Kong by visitors but exclude spending outside Hong Kong by Hong Kong residents. Hence they should not be regarded as indicators for measuring overall consumer spending.

     Users interested in the trend of overall consumer spending should refer to the data series of private consumption expenditure (PCE), which is a major component of the Gross Domestic Product published at quarterly intervals. Compiled from a wide range of data sources, PCE covers consumer spending on both goods (including goods purchased from all channels) and services by Hong Kong residents whether locally or abroad. Please refer to the C&SD publication "Gross Domestic Product (Quarterly)" for more details.

Commentary

     A government spokesman said that retail sales continued to fall sharply in November as the local social incidents turned extremely violent, causing very severe disruptions to tourism- and consumption-related activities and further dampening consumption sentiment.

     The spokesman further pointed out that the near-term outlook for the retail trade continues to hinge on how the local social incidents will evolve. As such, ending violence and restoring social order are essential to the recovery of the retail trade and indeed that of the whole economy.

Further information

     Table 1 presents the revised figures on value index and value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for October 2019 as well as the provisional figures for November 2019. The provisional figures on the value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet as well as the corresponding year-on-year changes for the first eleven months of 2019 taken together are also shown.

     Table 2 presents the revised figures on volume index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for October 2019 as well as the provisional figures for November 2019. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first eleven months of 2019 taken together are also shown.

     Table 3 shows the movements of the value and volume of total retail sales in terms of the year-on-year rate of change for a month compared with the same month in the preceding year based on the original series, and in terms of the rate of change for a three-month period compared with the preceding three-month period based on the seasonally adjusted series.

     The classification of retail establishments follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.

     More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales". Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp320.jsp?productCode=B1080003). Alternatively, the historical series of retail sales statistics can be downloaded in the form of a statistical table at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp320.jsp?productCode=D5600089).

     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7400; email: mrs@censtatd.gov.hk).

     With the northeast monsoon over southern China weaker than normal for most of the time in the month, December 2019 was much warmer than usual in Hong Kong. The monthly mean maximum temperature was 21.9 degrees, 1.7 degrees above the normal figure of 20.2 degrees and the joint fourth highest on record for December. The monthly mean temperature of 19.1 degrees was 1.2 degrees above the normal figure of 17.9 degrees. Moreover, 2019 was an extremely warm year in Hong Kong. The annual mean temperature of 24.5 degrees, annual mean maximum temperature of 27.1 degrees and annual mean minimum temperature of 22.6 degrees were all the highest since records began in 1884. The month was drier than usual with a total rainfall of 13.5 millimetres, about 50 per cent below the normal figure of 26.8 millimetres. The annual total rainfall in 2019 was 2396.2 millimetres, near the annual normal figure of 2398.5 millimetres.
      
     Affected by the northeast monsoon over southern China, it was fine and dry in Hong Kong on the first day of the month. With the arrival of an intense replenishment of the northeast monsoon that night, winds strengthened from the north and local weather became appreciably cooler and very dry from December 2 to 4. Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Kammuri moved across the central part of the South China Sea and weakened gradually from December 4 to 5. Under the combined effect of the northeast monsoon over the coast of Guangdong and the rain-bearing cloud band associated with Kammuri, local weather became windy with a few rain patches on December 5. With rain patches overnight, temperatures at the Hong Kong Observatory fell to 12.7 degrees on the morning of December 6, the lowest of the month. As the clouds covering the coast of Guangdong thinned out gradually during the day, the weather in Hong Kong turned fine and very dry again on December 6. Dominated by the dry northeast monsoon, apart from some cloudy interludes on December 12 and 13, local weather remained generally fine and dry until December 14.
      
     Under the influence of a relatively warm and humid easterly airstream, the weather in Hong Kong became mainly cloudy on December 15 and 16. With the clouds thinning out gradually, it was warm with sunny periods during the day on December 17 and 18. The maximum temperature at the Hong Kong Observatory rose to 27.3 degrees on the afternoon of December 18, the highest of the month.
      
     With the northeast monsoon arriving at the coast of Guangdong later on December 18, the weather in Hong Kong became mainly cloudy and cooler with a few rain patches from December 19 to 21. While sunny intervals emerged gradually on December 22 and 23, the visibility was rather low in many areas. With the northeast monsoon moderating gradually, the weather turned generally fine and warm from December 24 to 26. A cold front formed over central China and moved across the coast of Guangdong on the evening of December 26. Affected by the intense northeast monsoon behind the cold front, local weather became windy and fine with cool mornings on December 27 and 28.
      
     Typhoon Phanfone moved across the Philippines on Christmas day and tracked northwestwards entering the central part of the South China Sea on the next two days. Affected by the dry northeast monsoon, Phanfone weakened rapidly on December 28 and eventually became an area of low pressure over the waters off the coast of central Vietnam on December 29. Under the combined effect of the northeast monsoon and the outer rainbands associated with the remnants of Phanfone, local weather became cloudy with rain on December 29. The weather remained cloudy with a few rain patches and rather low visibility on December 30. With a replenishment of the northeast monsoon reaching southern China, it was windy with a few light rain patches on the last day of the month.
      
     Two tropical cyclones occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in December 2019.
      
     Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in December are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for December are tabulated in Table 2.