The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (March 31) that all public libraries will be closed on Good Friday (April 18), while students' study rooms will be open from 8am to 9.30pm.

     Apart from individual libraries' closing days, the opening hours of all public libraries on Ching Ming Festival (April 4), the day following Good Friday (April 19), and Easter Monday (April 21) will be the same as those for public holidays.

     To carry out system maintenance work, the Multimedia Information System and online reservation of computer facilities services will be suspended from 9pm on April 17 to 7am on April 19. Moreover, the following services will also be suspended from 0.30am on April 18 to 7am on April 19:

• library mobile app services and Internet and telephone renewal services;
• other online library services, including the library catalogue, borrowers' record enquiries, reservation of library materials and electronic resources (e-books and e-databases); and
• self-service library stations (readers may still return books to the stations before the due date, and the loan record will be updated within two working days).
   

     Details can be obtained from notices posted at all public libraries and on the website at www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/library-notices/library-notices-list.html. For enquiries, please call 2921 0208.

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) reminds members of the public today (March 31) not to enter the Sham Wan Restricted Area, Lamma Island, from tomorrow (April 1) to October 31 to protect nesting green turtles.
 
     The Sham Wan Restricted Area includes a beach of 0.5 hectare and a sea inlet of 98.2 hectares adjoining the beach at Sham Wan (see Annex). The restricted period lasts seven months, from April 1 to October 31.
 
     An AFCD spokesman said, "The green turtle is an endangered species protected by the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170) in Hong Kong. It is also the only sea turtle species that nests locally. The sandy beach at Sham Wan on Lamma Island is the only site in Hong Kong and one of the few sites in the South China Sea at which green turtles nest from time to time. Green turtles are known to stay in waters adjacent to their natal beaches before and in between their nesting. During the period, breeding green turtles are particularly sensitive to human disturbances, which may frighten them and cause them to abandon nesting. The designation of the Sham Wan Restricted Area helps protect endangered green turtles and their breeding ground. It can bring about a positive impact on the survival and breeding of green turtles in the long run."
 
     The spokesman pointed out that AFCD staff will conduct patrols to prevent unauthorised entry to the area and monitor the occurrence and nesting activities of green turtles. Unauthorised entry to the restricted area is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 upon conviction.

     A man who went missing in Tsuen Wan has been located.

     Lam Ka-leung, aged 38, went missing after he left his caring home on Tsuen King Circuit on March 26 afternoon. Staff of the caring home made a report to Police on March 27.

     The man was located on Ho Pui Street yesterday afternoon (March 30). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (March 31) that, as advised by the postal administration of Korea, mail delivery services to the areas with the postcodes 364xx-367xx and 374xx previously impacted by wildfires have returned to normal.

     â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (March 31) that, as advised by the postal administration of Thailand, due to the impact of an earthquake, mail delivery services to areas with postcodes 10xxx are subject to delay.