Special traffic arrangements for Ching Ming Festival

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts during the Ching Ming Festival period to facilitate grave sweepers, and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movements and pedestrian safety.

Hong Kong Island
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(1) Chai Wan

A. Road closure

     Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road is designated as a private car and light goods vehicle prohibited zone from 7am to 3pm daily between March 22 and April 27, except for vehicles with permit.

Phase I

     The following roads will be closed from 7am to 5pm daily on March 22, 23, 29 and 30, and April 5, 6, 12 and 13:

– Southbound Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, green minibus (GMB) routes 16A, 16M, 16X and 18M, taxis, hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles with permit, and vehicles heading to Wan Tsui Estate and Lin Tsui Estate;
– Northbound Lin Shing Road, except for GMB route 18M, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for GMB route 18M, taxis, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, taxis, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and the crematorium, except for hearses and vehicles carrying passengers to services at the Crematorium; and
– The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery.

Phase II

     The following roads will be closed from 7am to 5pm on April 4:

– Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles with permit, and vehicles heading to Wan Tsui Estate and Lin Tsui Estate;
– Cape Collinson Road east of Lin Shing Road, except for hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– Cape Collinson Road west of Lin Shing Road, except for franchised buses, GMB routes 16A, 16M and 16X, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit;
– The slip road leading from Cape Collinson Road to the Garden of Remembrance and the crematorium, except for hearses and vehicles carrying passengers to services at the crematorium;
– The slip road leading to Chai Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery; and
– Wan Tsui Lane, except for vehicles heading to Hing Wah Plaza.

B. Traffic diversions

– Traffic along eastbound Wan Tsui Road between Fei Tsui Road and Lin Shing Road cannot turn right to Lin Shing Road during the above road closures; and
– Cape Collinson Road between its slip road to the crematorium and Shek O Road will be re-routed one-way westbound during the above road closures and the operation hours of Citybus route 388.

C. No parking

     During the above road closures, no parking will be permitted along the following roads:

– Wan Tsui Road;
– Lin Shing Road;
– Cape Collinson Road; and
– Shek O Road between Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution and Tai Tam Road.

    With the exception of access to Wan Tsui Estate and Lin Tsui Estate, all red minibuses, private cars, goods vehicles, motorcycles, motor tricycles and pedal cycles cannot enter Lin Shing Road during the above road closures, while taxis cannot enter Lin Shing Road during Phase II.

(2) Pok Fu Lam

     Depending on traffic conditions, Consort Rise between Victoria Road and Bisney Road will be re-routed one-way southbound from 7am to 5.30pm daily on March 22, 23, 29 and 30, and April 4 to 6, 12, 13 and 18 to 21.

     Four metered parking spaces (metered parking spaces No. 3941A, 3941B, 3942A and 3942B) and three motorcycle parking spaces at Victoria Road near Consort Rise will be suspended from 7am to 5.30pm daily on March 22, 23, 29 and 30, and April 4 to 6, 12 and 13.

(3) Aberdeen

     Depending on traffic conditions, Peel Rise in the vicinity of the Aberdeen Chinese Permanent Cemetery and the slip road from Shek Pai Wan Road leading to the Aberdeen Chinese Permanent Cemetery will be closed during the following time periods:

– From 7.30am to 5.30pm daily on March 22, 23, 29 and 30, and April 5, 6, 12, 13 and 18 to 21; and
– From 7.30am to 6.30pm on April 4.

Kowloon
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(1) Tseung Kwan O

     The access road at Ko Chiu Road leading to Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery will be closed from 5.30am to 6pm daily on March 22, 23 and 29, and April 5, 12, 13, 18 to 21, 26 and 27, and May 1, except for special route No. 14S of Kowloon Motor Bus, hearses, funeral vehicles and vehicles with permit.

     The above road will be closed from 5.30am to 8pm daily on March 30, and April 4 and 6.

     Grave sweepers can access the cemetery on foot via the BMCPC Footpath opposite MTR Tiu Keng Leng Station or the access road on Ko Chiu Road. Individuals requiring wheelchair access should enter the cemetery via the Ko Chiu Road entrance.

(2) Diamond Hill

     The following special arrangements will be implemented from 7am to 6pm daily on March 29 and 30, and April 4, 5, 6, 12 and 13:

A. Road closure

– The access road leading to the Diamond Hill Crematorium; the access road between the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour and the CLP Power substation; and the access road adjacent to the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour leading to Sze Chen Hall, except for hearses and funeral vehicles.

– Yuk Hok Lane and Yuk Wah Street east of Tsz Wan Shan Road, except for private cars and taxis.

B. Traffic diversions

– Vehicles must follow southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill for entering or leaving Fung Shing Street or Fu Shan Estate car park;
– Vehicles must follow northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill for entering or leaving Grand View Garden car park;
– Vehicles from eastbound Po Kong Village Road can turn to westbound Yuk Wah Street via the easternmost traffic lane of Tsz Wan Shan (South) Bus Terminus;
– Traffic along westbound Fung Shing Street cannot turn right to northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill;
– Traffic along northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill cannot turn right to eastbound Fung Shing Street;
– Vehicles from Grand View Garden car park cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
– Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to Grand View Garden car park;
– Vehicles from Fu Shan Estate car park cannot turn right to northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill;
– Traffic along northbound Po Kong Village Road uphill cannot turn right to Fu Shan Estate car park;
– Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to Po Kong Village Road School Village car park;
– Vehicles from Po Kong Village Road School Village car park cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill;
– Traffic along southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill cannot turn right to the unnamed road opposite to Po Leung Lane;
– Traffic along the unnamed road opposite to Po Leung Lane cannot turn right to southbound Po Kong Village Road downhill; and
– Traffic along Yuk Wah Crescent cannot turn right to eastbound Yuk Wah Street.

C. Suspension of parking spaces

     Metered parking spaces on the unnamed road between the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour and the CLP Power substation, and motorcycle parking spaces at Yuk Wah Street near Yuk Hok Lane will be suspended.

D. Passenger pick-up and drop-off points

     The temporary pick-up and drop-off point for private cars will be located at westbound Yuk Wah Street near Yuk Hok Lane.

     Po Kong Village Road School Village car park will be closed and designated as taxi and private car drop-off point from 7am to 6pm daily on March 30, and April 4 and 6.

(3) Cheung Sha Wan

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented on March 29 and 30, and April 4 to 6, 12 and 13:

A. Road closure (daily from 7am to 7pm)

     Wing Ming Street and the unnamed road between Wing Ming Street and Saint Raphael’s Catholic Cemetery will be closed, except for hearses, funeral vehicles, vehicles of the cemetery staff and those with permits.

B. No stopping or parking

– Parking will be prohibited on Yu Chau West Street between Castle Peak Road and King Lam Street daily from 7am to 7pm;
– Vehicles are prohibited to pick up or drop off passengers along Yu Chau West Street near Wing Ming Street (outside "83 Wing Hong Street"); and
– Stopping or parking will be prohibited on Ching Cheung Road daily from 7am to 7pm.

C. Suspension of parking spaces (daily from 7am to 7pm)

     All on-street parking spaces on Yu Chau West Street, Tai Nan West Street, King Lam Street between Yu Chau West Street and Tai Nan West Street, and Wing Hong Street between Yu Chau West Street and Tai Nan West Street will be suspended.
 
     Members of the public should access Saint Raphael’s Catholic Cemetery via the subway across Ching Cheung Road from the end of the unnamed road between Wing Ming Street and the cemetery. No parking facilities in the cemetery will be open for public use.

New Territories
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(1) Wo Hop Shek

     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented daily on March 22, 23, 29 and 30, and April 4 to 6, 12, 13, and 18 to 21:

A. Road closure (daily from 6am to 5pm)

– Kiu Tau Road, except for hearses, coaches conveying people attending services at the crematorium, vehicles of the undertakers and franchised buses;
– Ming Yin Road, except for franchised buses;
– Wo Ka Lau Road; and
– All access roads within Wo Hop Shek Cemetery.

B. Traffic diversions

– Traffic along northbound Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon cannot turn right to southbound Pak Wo Road; and
– Traffic along southbound Pak Wo Road near MTR Fanling Station cannot turn right to the car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon.

C. Suspension of parking spaces (daily from 7am to 5pm)

– The car park on Wo Hing Road near Wah Ming Road roundabout, except for taxis;
– The car park on Pak Wo Road near Fung Ying Seen Koon, except for the disabled parking spaces and public buses of the residents’ service route No. NR112. Depending on the prevailing situation, vehicles with elderly and disabled passengers may be allowed to use the car park for boarding shuttle buses that are heading for Wo Hop Shek Cemetery;
– Parking spaces on Wah Ming Lane; and
– Parking spaces at Ming Yin Road between Wo Hop Shek Cemetery Office and Kiu Tau Road.

(2) Sandy Ridge

     The Frontier Closed Area from MTR Lo Wu Station to Lo Wu Station Road will be open to grave sweepers from 6am to 6pm daily between March 22 and April 20.

     The following roads will be closed from 6am to 6pm daily on March 22, 23, 29 and 30, and April 4 to 6, 12, 13 and 18 to 20:

– Lo Wu Station Road, from its junction with Man Kam To Road to a point approximately 280 metres west, near the cemetery management office, except for vehicles of Lo Wu Village residents and those permitted to use the MTR Lo Wu Station car park; and
– Sha Ling Road, except for vehicles of Sha Ling residents.

(3) Castle Peak

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 7am to 7pm daily on March 22, 23, 29 and 30, and April 4 to 6, 12 and 13:

A. Road closure

– Tsing San Path; and
– The access roads leading to Ching Chung Koon and Ching Chung Sin Yuen.

B. Traffic diversions

– Tsing Chung Koon Road between Tsing Lun Road and San Fuk Road will be re-routed one-way northbound; and
– San Fuk Road between Leung Shun Street and Tsing Chung Koon Road will be re-routed one-way westbound.

C. No parking

     No parking will be permitted along the following roads:

– San Fuk Road;
– Tsing Chung Koon Road between Tsing Chung Path and San Fuk Road;
– Tsing Lun Road between Tsun Wen Road and the northern vehicle entrance of Tuen Mun Hospital; and
– Southbound Tsun Wen Road between Tsing Lun Road and San Fuk Road.

D. Passenger pick-up and drop-off points

     Three temporary pick-up and drop-off points will be set up at northbound Tsing Chung Koon Road opposite to Castle Peak Hospital, northbound Tsing Chung Koon Road opposite to Tuen Mun Hospital, and westbound Tsing Lun Road outside Tuen Mun Hospital.

(4) Tsang Tsui

     Nim Wan Road between Yung Long Road and the access road to Tsang Tsui Columbarium will be closed from 7am to 7pm daily on March 22, 23, 29 and 30, and April 4 to 6, 12 and 13, except for franchised buses, MTR buses, taxis, vehicles heading for West New Territories Landfill and T·PARK, and vehicles with permit.

(5) Kwai Tsing

     Wing Yin Street and Wing Hau Street will be closed from 7am to 5pm daily on March 22 and 29, and April 5, 12 and 13, except for hearses and franchised buses. 

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 7am to 5pm daily on March 23 and 30, and April 4 and 6, and when necessary:

– Southbound Wing Tak Street between the entrance of City Point and Wing Shun Street, Wing Yin Street, and Wing Shun Street between Wing Tak Street and Kwai Hei Street will be closed, except for hearses, franchised buses, taxis and GMBs;
– Wing Kei Road between Kwai Hei Street and Wing Kin Road will be re-routed one-way southbound. Vehicles cannot travel via Kwai Hei Street for Wing Kei Road; and
– Wing Hau Street will be closed.

(6) Sha Tin

A. Road closure and traffic diversions

     The following roads will be closed between 7am and 6pm daily on March 22 to 23, and 29 to 30, and April 4 to 6, and 12 to 13:

– Lower Shing Mun Road between Yau On Street and Fu Shan Crematorium, Yau On Street and Yau Ting Street, except for hearses, funeral vehicles, GMB route 64K, and vehicles of residents of Pak Tin Areas 2 to 5 and Lakeview Garden; and
– Pai Tau Street west of its junction with Sheung Wo Che Road.

     To Fung Shan Road north of its junction with Pak Lok Path will be closed between 9am and 5pm daily on March 22, 23, and 29 to 30, and April 4, 5, 6, 12 and 13, except for vehicles serving residents and people working in To Fung Shan. To Fung Shan Road between Chung Ling Road and Pak Lok Path will be converted into one-lane two-way traffic between 9am and 5pm daily on March 29 and 30, and April 4, 5 and 6.

B. Suspension of parking spaces

     All metered parking spaces on Yau On Street and Lower Shing Mun Road will be suspended from 7am to 6pm daily on March 22, 23, and 29 to 30, and April 4, 5, 6, 12 and 13.

(7) Lantau Island

     The following special arrangements will be implemented from 6am to 6pm daily on March 29 and 30, and April 4 to 6:

– The closed Tung Chung Road between Shek Mun Kap Road and South Lantau Road will be temporarily opened to traffic; and
– Others roads on south Lantau will remain closed, except for vehicles with permit.

     During the implementation of the special traffic arrangements, any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts mentioned above will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.

     Police will implement the above arrangements subject to traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Members of the public are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.




21 landlords of subdivided units under regulated tenancies convicted of contravening relevant statutory requirements

     Twenty-one landlords of subdivided units (SDUs), who contravened Part IVA of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) (the Ordinance), pleaded guilty and were fined a total of $92,400 on March 14 and today (March 21) at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts. Since the Ordinance came into force, the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) has successfully prosecuted 634 cases involving a total of 543 SDU landlords, with fines ranging from $400 to $34,800, amounting to a total of $1,530,710.
 
     The offences of these 21 landlords include (1) failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced; (2) failing to produce copies of the bills and provide an account in writing when requiring the tenant to pay for the reimbursement of the apportioned water and/or electricity charges; and (3) requesting the tenant to pay money other than the types permitted under the Ordinance (i.e. requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance). One of the landlords committed 32 offences under (1) to (3) and was fined $29,600.

     The RVD earlier discovered that the landlords failed to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance. Upon an in-depth investigation and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted against the landlords.
 
     A spokesman for the RVD reiterated that SDU landlords must comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance, including prohibiting landlords from doing any act calculated to interfere with the peace or comfort of members of the tenant's household, with the intention of causing the tenant to give up occupation of the SDU; or requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance, and also reminded tenants of their rights under the Ordinance, including a four-year (i.e. two years plus two years) security of tenure. He also stressed that the RVD will continue to take resolute enforcement action against any contraventions of the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. In particular, the RVD has been requiring landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether they have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD's request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Depending on the actual circumstances, and having regard to the information and evidence collected, the RVD will take appropriate actions on individual cases, including instigating prosecution against suspected contraventions of the Ordinance. In addition, the RVD has started a new round of publicity and education work to enhance public awareness about the key offences and penalty, emphasising that the RVD proactively checks whether landlords have committed the offences under the Ordinance. 

     To help curb illegal acts as soon as possible, members of the public should report to the RVD promptly any suspected cases of contravening the relevant requirements. Reporting can be made through the telephone hotline (2150 8303), by email (enquiries@rvd.gov.hk), by fax (2116 4920), by post (15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon), or in person (visiting the Tenancy Services Section office of the RVD at Room 3816-22, 38/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, and please call 2150 8303 to make an appointment). Furthermore, the RVD has provided a form (Form AR4) (www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/en/forms/ar4.pdf) on its website to facilitate SDU tenants' reporting to the RVD.
 
     The RVD reminds that pursuant to the Ordinance, a regulated cycle of regulated tenancies is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies (i.e. the first-term tenancy and second-term tenancy) for an SDU, and the term of each regulated tenancy is two years. A tenant of a first-term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second-term tenancy of the regulated cycle, thus enjoying a total of four years of security of tenure. The RVD has been issuing letters enclosing relevant information to the landlords and tenants concerned of regulated tenancies in batches, according to the expiry time of their first-term tenancies, to assist them in understanding the important matters pertaining to the second-term tenancy, and to remind them about the procedures that need to be followed about two months prior to the commencement of the purported second-term tenancy as well as their respective obligations and rights under the Ordinance. These landlords and tenants may also visit the dedicated page for the second-term tenancy on the RVD's website (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/tenancy_matters/second_term_tenancy.html) for the relevant information, including a concise guide, brochures, tutorial videos and frequently asked questions. The landlords and tenants concerned are also advised to familiarise themselves with the relevant statutory requirements and maintain close communication regarding the second-term tenancy for handling the matters properly and in a timely manner according to the Ordinance.
 
     For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the telephone hotline (2150 8303) or visit the RVD's webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.html) for the relevant information.




Immigration Department repatriates 18 Vietnamese illegal immigrants to Vietnam (with photos)

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out a repatriation operation today (March 21). A total of 18 Vietnamese illegal immigrants were repatriated to Vietnam. The persons removed comprised nine men and nine women, all of whom were unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants. Among them were discharged prisoners who had committed criminal offences and had been sentenced to imprisonment.
 
     The ImmD has been committed to promptly removing unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong to maintain effective immigration control and safeguard the public interest. Under the updated removal policy effective from December 7, 2022, the ImmD may generally proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review case has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance of the High Court, thereby enhancing the efficiency of and efforts in removing unsubstantiated claimants. 

     The ImmD will remain committed to expediting the removal process to repatriate illegal immigrants and overstayers from Hong Kong as soon as practicable according to the actual situation through appropriate measures as necessary.

Photo  Photo  



Lands Department releases tender amounts submitted for site in Tung Chung

     The Lands Department announced today (March 21) that in respect of the tender for the site Tung Chung Town Lot No. 55 at Area 106B, Tung Chung, New Territories, which was awarded on February 19 to the successful tenderer, Land Castle Limited (parent company: Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited), on a 50-year land grant at a premium of $602,000,000, the tender amounts submitted by the unsuccessful tenderers in descending order are published on an anonymous basis as follows:

(1) $514,000,000
(2) $502,880,000
(3) $426,000,000

     The information disclosed in this press release is for information only.




Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens related to Chong Hing Bank Limited

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Chong Hing Bank Limited relating to fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or login screens concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.