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 (November 21) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (November 21) appealed to members of the public to pay attention to the traffic situation and the latest public transport service arrangement this morning before starting their journey.

     As at 6am today, the latest public transport situation is as follows:

(I) MTR

     All MTR lines maintain services today. Except the Airport Express Line, the train service will end at 11pm.

     Hung Hom and University stations are closed. Entrances/Exits at some stations will also be closed. Train services may be suspended or adjusted due to incidents. Members of the public are advised to continue to stay tuned to the latest traffic news.

     From start of service, East Rail Line service will be provided between Mong Kok East and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau stations (not stopping at University Station). West Rail Line service will end at East Tsim Sha Tsui Station. Free shuttle bus service running between Tai Po Market and Kam Sheung Road stations will be arranged during morning and evening peak periods.

     Yuen Long Station of West Rail Line will be temporarily closed starting from 2pm and train will not stop at Yuen Long Station.

     Light Rail Route 751P is substituted by Route 706. Routes 614, 614P, 751 and 761P will be diverted. Route 751 will not stop at Chestwood and Yau Oi stops.

(II) Hung Hom Cross Harbour Tunnel

     Due to the damage to the facilities of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel (CHT), the tunnel cannot be reopened within a short period of time. To assist members of the public to commute, the TD has co-ordinated with franchised bus and ferry operators to strengthen services. Eight routes operating via the CHT have been rerouted to the Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC) or the Western Harbour Tunnel (WHC). The routes via the EHC include 101X, 108, 111, 115, 116, 118 and 182 while the route via the WHC includes 118P.

     Special free ferry services include the following two routes:

      (1) Between Hung Hom (South) Ferry Pier and Wan Chai Public Pier (near Golden Bauhinia Square); and

      (2) Between Ma Tau Kok Public Pier in Kowloon City and Wan Chai Public Pier (near Golden Bauhinia Square).

     The service hours of the two routes are from 7am to 7pm with a headway of 30 minutes during peak hours. In view of the limited carrying capacity of the ferry services and to provide alternative for passengers, franchised bus operators will arrange special departures (Route 115) at Kowloon City Ferry Pier Bus Terminus via the EHC to Central.

(III) Major affected road sections

     Major roads in Yau Tsim Mong District are yet to be reopened. Some bus routes may be temporarily diverted or suspended. The major affected road sections include Chatham Road South between Observatory Road and Gascoigne Road (both bounds) and Hong Chong Road (both bounds). Police will implement road closure, traffic control and diversion measures depending on the traffic conditions on site.

     As traffic conditions and railway services may change within a short period of time, the TD urges commuters using public transport services to allow more travelling time and plan their journey in advance. Details of the latest traffic news are available at TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/en/home/index.html) or mobile application "HKeMobility".

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:
 
     "The Social Welfare Department announces that as there are still uncertain factors affecting the roads and traffic conditions, members of the public are advised not to take their children or family members to child care centres, centres providing after school care programmes, elderly services centres or day rehabilitation units including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres and day activity centres today (November 21). These centres will, however, remain open during their normal operating hours to serve those whose families cannot provide alternative care for them. Members of the public who have the need for the services mentioned may contact the service units concerned in advance."

     Following is the English portion of the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, at a stand-up session at LegCo Complex today (November 20):
 
Reporter: On what has happened today, that is the traffic congestion, do you see that the chance of holding the election will be further reduced? At which point the government will decide to postpone the election? Secondly, following up on the case of Simon Cheng (former employee of the British consulate in Hong Kong who reportedly has been tortured on the Mainland), how will the government follow up the case with the Mainland authorities?
 
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: Regarding the first question, as I have said before, we are committed to conducting the polling as scheduled on November 24.  We do not want to see the postponement or adjournment of the polling unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, we are doing everything we can and make necessary contingency planning and arrangements to achieve this objective. What has happened this morning, such as traffic disruption, blocking the screen doors and making delays in the MTR or blocking roads, causing delays and inconvenience to people who are going to work or to school.  If that happens on the polling day, that might affect the opening of the polling stations on time which will have a material impact on the smooth conduct of the polling. Traffic blockage could make adverse impact on the smooth conduct of the polling. That's why I appeal to the public, especially those protesters, "when you express your views and opinion, please do not affect the right of other people". I think we should air our views and opinion in a way that will not affect other people's right.
 
     Regarding your second question, as I said if Hong Kong residents have any requests for our assistance, we will ask them to come forward and let us have the information so that we can follow up with the Mainland authorities in accordance with our established mechanism. In following up on these requests, we will, of course, follow the "one country, two systems" principle and we would certainly reflect the situation to the Mainland authorities and seek their assistance and follow-up. In any particular case, I will welcome those affected to come forward and provide us with information.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (November 20) that the third cycle of the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise will commence on February 18, 2020.

     The Secretary for Security has made an Amendment Order to announce the details of the third cycle of the Replacement Exercise. Subject to the negative vetting procedure of the Legislative Council, the arrangement will be as follows:
 

 
     "From the third cycle onwards (i.e. February 18, 2020), ImmD will implement a new facilitation measure for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). An eligible applicant may bring along up to two PwDs, in addition to bringing along up to two elderly persons aged 65 or above under the existing facilitation measure, to replace HKICs during the same visit", an ImmD spokesman said.       
 
     PwDs who are interested to apply HKICs together with eligible applicants under the aforementioned new measure only need to bring along their existing smart HKICs and provide relevant documentation or information to ImmD as proof of their PwD identity upon replacement. Examples include Registration Card for People with Disabilities issued by the Labour and Welfare Bureau, information or documents showing that the applicant is a recipient of Disability Allowance, proofs on membership of PwDs service units subvented by the Social Welfare Department, proofs on student status of special schools or medical proof (e.g. patients' follow-up record, etc.).
 
     It is worth noting that HKIC holders born in 2008 to 2011 or 2001 to 2004 will respectively reach the age of 11 or 18 during the Replacement Exercise (i.e. from 2019 to 2022). These HKIC holders are required to apply for a juvenile or adult HKIC at one of the Registration of Persons Offices within 30 days upon attaining the age of 11 or 18 respectively and need not replace their HKICs under the replacement exercise.
 
     "Moreover, eligible members of the sixth term of District Council (DC) may apply for new HKICs from February 18, 2020 to April 20, 2020, so that DC members could familiarise themselves with the HKIC replacement procedures at the earliest possible time and be able to provide assistance to members of the public during the Replacement Exercise as necessary." the ImmD spokesman added.

     The ImmD spokesman also reminded the public that the second cycle of the Replacement Exercise will end on February 17, 2020. Eligible applicants of the second cycle who have not replaced their HKICs are reminded to apply for the new HKICs at the Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres (at Annex) as early as possible.
 
     The replacement exercise covers all Hong Kong residents, including permanent residents; and non-permanent residents for employment (including foreign domestic helpers), investment, residence or study. If eligible Hong Kong residents are absent from Hong Kong during their call-up periods, they need not rush back to Hong Kong to replace their identity cards.  They can apply within 30 days upon their return to Hong Kong.
 
     Eligible applicants may make appointment bookings via the Internet (www.gov.hk/newicbooking), the ImmD mobile application or the 24-hour telephone booking hotline 2121 1234. To enjoy a faster registration process, applicants are encouraged to pre-fill the application form when making appointment bookings through the Internet or mobile application.

     For details of the replacement exercise, please visit the website www.smartid.gov.hk or call the ImmD's enquiry hotline at 2824 6111.