Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at a media session after attending the "Opportunities for Youth Development in the Greater Bay Area" Youth… read more
The Government today (December 28) announced the appointment of four new members and the re-appointment of three incumbent members to the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee (BLPSC) for a term of two years with effect from J… read more
The Transport Department (TD) today (December 28) reminded the public to take note of the special traffic and transport arrangements to be implemented on New Year’s Eve (December 31) to facilitate holiday celebrations. Members of the public are urged to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion.
Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases from late afternoon on New Year’s Eve in districts including Central, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom. Road closure arrangements have already been put in place in the vicinity of Victoria Park for the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo. Roads in the vicinity of these areas are busier than usual during the holiday. Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport, avoid driving to busy areas and stay alert to the latest traffic news.
The TD reminds pedestrians to pay attention to road safety during the festive holiday by observing traffic light signals and walking on the pavement. Pedestrians should be considerate, patient and follow the advice or instructions given by the Police. Motorists are advised to drive with care and patience, especially in busy areas. They should also be aware that on-street parking spaces will be suspended due to road closures and traffic diversion arrangements.
The MTR Island Line, Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Tseung Kwan O Line, Tung Chung Line, East Rail Line (except to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau), Ma On Shan Line, West Rail Line, South Island Line and Light Rail Routes 505, 507, 610, 614P, 615P, 705, 706, 751 and 761P will operate around the clock on December 31.
Some bus and minibus services will be extended or augmented on New Year’s Eve. Hong Kong Tramways and the Central to Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system will also provide extended services.
It is expected that many passengers will travel via the land boundary control points during the New Year holiday period. Passengers are advised to plan in advance and make their journeys during non-peak hours. As the waiting time for cross-boundary public transport services may be longer than usual if traffic is busy at the control points, passengers should maintain order and heed advice from the Police and on-site staff of the public transport service operators. They are also advised to keep track of the latest traffic news.
The TD and the Police will closely monitor local and cross-boundary traffic during the holidays and take appropriate action as necessary.
Details of the special traffic and transport arrangements on New Year’s Eve are available at the department’s website (www.td.gov.hk). read more
​With regard to the New Year’s Eve countdown celebrations to be held by the Hong Kong Tourism Board on December 31, the Marine Department (MD) will implement marine traffic control and strengthen the inspection of spectator vessels on the event day to ensure that safety requirements are met.
Closed Areas will be established in two stages on the event day in the waters where barges for the fireworks display will be anchored. All vessels will be prohibited from entering these designated areas. The Closed Area in the waters off the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai will be established from 1pm on the event day to about 5am on the following day (January 1), while the Closed Area in the waters off the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui will be established from 11pm to about 1am on the following day. A Restricted Area will be established in the Central Harbour from 11pm to about 1am on the following day. Other than authorised vessels, no vessels will be allowed to enter. Scheduled ferry vessels with permission may continue services until 11.40pm.
For landside crowd control, all public landing steps within the Restricted Area will be progressively closed temporarily starting from 10pm on the event day to about 1am on the following day. Buffer Zones at Kowloon Public Pier, Kwun Tong Public Pier and Central Piers 9 and 10 will be established immediately after the event for safe and orderly disembarkation of passengers.
In addition, to ensure vessels disperse in an orderly manner, the Eastern and Western Cordon Lines of the Restricted Area will be lifted in stages after the event. The Western Cordon Line will be lifted first at about 1am on January 1. Spectator vessels behind the Western Cordon Line and those wishing to move to the east must follow the instructions of officers from the MD and the Police at the scene. The Eastern Cordon Line will be lifted later depending on traffic conditions in Victoria Harbour. It is anticipated that the Restricted Area will be lifted by about 1.15am.
Officers from the MD and the Police will also maintain order at major landing facilities after the event. In order to ensure the smooth and safe disembarkation of passengers, coxswains and crew members should remind passengers to pack their personal belongings early before the vessels arrive alongside the landing steps, as well as assist passengers to disembark. Coxswains and passengers should follow the guidance of the MD and the Police at the scene.
The MD and the Marine Police will also strengthen law enforcement, especially on speeding and overloading. Coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels should check again and reconfirm that the operating licence, the certificate of survey and the third party risk insurance are valid before setting sail.
Officers from the MD will strengthen the inspection of spectator vessels. Requirements include providing sufficient life-saving appliances on board, ensuring that children wear a lifejacket at all times and that coxswains keep a passenger and crew list on board.
If any vessel fails to meet these requirements, inspecting officers will issue directions at the scene and request the person-in-charge of the vessel to take remedial action. If the person-in-charge of the vessel refuses to comply with the directions, the department will take the necessary follow-up action, such as prohibiting the vessel from departing or considering prosecution.
MD Notice No. 196 of 2018 on the marine traffic control and safety measures has been issued and is available for viewing on the MD’s website (www.mardep.gov.hk). read more
Overall wage and payroll statistics According to the figures released today (December 28) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the average wage rate for all the selected industry sections surveyed, as measure… read more