The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) hotline service under the Special Preventive Programme of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will be suspended from 8am tomorrow (August 31) for telephone system update until the system update is completed.

     The free and anonymous AIDS hotline (2780 2211) provides information on AIDS and sexually transmitted infections and a Human Immunodeficiency Virus antibody testing booking service to the public.
 
     The public may visit the following pages for more information on HIV/AIDS: the Virtual AIDS Office (www.aids.gov.hk), the Red Ribbon Centre (www.rrc.gov.hk), the HIV Testing Service website (www.hivtest.gov.hk) and the Gay Men HIV Information website (www.21171069.gov.hk).

     â€‹The Commissioner for Labour today (August 30) gave notices in the Gazette under section 16(1A) and/or section 18(2) of the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Ordinance (Chapter 380) for cases with ex gratia payments from the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund made to employees. 
      
     For details of the notices, please refer to Government Notice Numbers from 5070 to 5110 on the website of the eGazette of the Government Logistics Department.

     The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (August 30) gazetted a notice to invite tenders for the contract for Fanling North New Development Area, Remaining Phase: Site Formation and Infrastructure Works (West) (Contract No. ND/2024/08). The closing time for the tender is noon on November 8.
      
     The works mainly include:

• site formation of lands and ground investigation within Fanling North New Development Area (FLN NDA);
• construction of at-grade roads connecting FLN NDA to Fanling Highway; 
• construction of Fanling Bypass Western Section;
• construction of noise barriers and low noise road surfacing; and
• ancillary works including vehicular bridge, footbridges, footpaths, cycle tracks, lighting, traffic aids, sewage pumping stations, drainage, sewerage, water mains, landscaping works, slope works and electrical and mechanical works.

 
     The works are scheduled to commence in February 2025 and will take about 66 months to complete.
      
     The CEDD has commissioned Atkins China Limited to design and supervise the works. Interested contractors can download the tender forms and other particulars from the e-Tendering System (e-TS). Tenderers must submit tenders in electronic format via the e-TS.
      
     Details of the tender notice are available on the CEDD's website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender-notices/contracts/tender-notices/index.html). For enquiries, please call Atkins China Limited at 2972 1000 during office hours.

     â€‹The Government published in the Gazette today (August 30) the amendments to the railway scheme for the Northern Link (NOL) Main Line in accordance with section 7 of the Railways Ordinance (Cap. 519).

     A Government spokesman said, "The amendments are made mainly in light of the implementation progress of the development project along the railway resulting in revision of land resumption areas."
      
     The NOL Main Line involves the construction of a railway link, approximately 10.7 kilometres long, connecting the existing Kam Sheung Road Station of the Tuen Ma Line and the planned Kwu Tung Station of the East Rail Line, with three intermediate stations at Au Tau, Ngau Tam Mei and San Tin. Since the gazettal of the railway scheme and the amendments and corrections to the scheme in October 2023 and May 2024 respectively, the Government and the MTR Corporation Limited have been keeping in close contact with major stakeholders to listen to their views, including exchanging views with relevant rural committees. The construction works of the proposed NOL Main Line will commence soon after the authorisation of the scheme and are expected to be completed by 2034.
      
     Under the Railways Ordinance, members of the public may object to the amendments to the scheme of NOL Main Line from today until October 29, 2024. Additionally, any person who has a compensatable interest can claim compensation under the provisions of the Ordinance.

     The Amendments to the Scheme and the Amendment Plans are viewable on the Highways Department (HyD) website (www.hyd.gov.hk/en/our_projects/railway_projects/index.html). They are also available for public inspection during office hours at the Central & Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre; the North Home Affairs Enquiry Centre; the Yuen Long Home Affairs Enquiry Centre; the District Lands Office, North; and the District Lands Office, Yuen Long. A copy of the Amendments to the Scheme and the Amendment Plans may be purchased from the HyD. For details, please call the HyD at 2762 3976.

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 (August 30) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.