The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 9) released the latest grading of water quality for nine gazetted beaches. Other beaches have been closed to swimmers from November 1 for the winter season. 
        
     Seven beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and two as Fair (Grade 2).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:        

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

 
* Big Wave Bay Beach, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Deep Water Bay Beach, Middle Bay Beach and Stanley Main Beach remain closed until further notice due to the severe damage brought about by Typhoon Mangkhut earlier. 
      
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades 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.
      
     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 websites on Beach Water Quality (www.beachwq.gov.hk and www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline 2511 6666.

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (November 10).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements this Sunday (November 11) to facilitate a public event to be held on Hong Kong Island.

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented from 9am to 12 noon:
     
Road closure
————

– Westbound Chater Road between Murray Road and Club Street;
– Chater Road between Jackson Road and Club Street; and
– Jackson Road.

     Westbound Connaught Road Central between Harcourt Road and Pedder Street will be closed from 10.55am to 11.03am.

Traffic diversions
——————

– Traffic along Lambeth Walk will be diverted to Murray Road; and
– Traffic along Club Street and the unnamed slip road next to No.1 Connaught Road Central must turn left to eastbound Chater Road.

     Traffic along westbound Harcourt Road will be diverted to southbound Cotton Tree Drive flyover from 10.55am to 11.03am.

     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.

     A man who went missing in Mong Kok was located.

     Leung Shau-cheung, aged 87, went missing after he left his residence on Argyle Street on November 7 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man was located on Argyle Street last night (November 8). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session at the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex today (November 9):

Reporter: (On the Mallet case) … sparks concerns about narrowing freedoms in Hong Kong, how would the Government address this?

Secretary for Security: This case has nothing to do with freedom of expression or freedom of the press. The Government has said many times that in considering any application for entry, we will be acting in accordance with the law and the prevailing immigration policy to make a decision. This is no different from the immigration authorities of other governments. We will not disclose the details of individual cases in public. The reasons I have explained in the last LegCo debate – that it would be inappropriate to go into details for a number of reasons. First of all, there is data privacy consideration, and also full disclosure of details may prejudice the immigration policy as a whole.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)