â€‹The Immigration Department announced that members of the public who had booked but were unable to apply for identity cards at Registration of Persons (ROP) Offices as scheduled due to the extreme conditions today (September 8) may approach the ROP Offices concerned on any subsequent working day for applications without the need to make a new appointment. It is not necessary to call to seek confirmation on the above arrangement. However, applicants must approach the ROP Offices concerned during the relevant service hours for processing. Applicants should bring along the appointment slip, if available, or quote the telephone appointment reference code for follow-up. Subject to the situation of the day, the waiting time for processing may be longer. Please refer to the Annex for the working hours and scope of services provided at ROP Offices.

TV/Radio announcers please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     As the extreme conditions will continue at least until 6pm today (September 8), the Hong Kong Wetland Park will remain closed today. Any person or organisation who has paid a deposit for visitation today could contact the Park's ticket office for a refund arrangement or change of visit date.

     The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) announced today (September 8) the revision of Physical Fitness Test for recruitment, which aims to align the recruitment requirements more closely with the foundation training at the Police College and better meet the operational needs of police work nowadays. The adjustments are also intended to facilitate candidates to have self-practice without the need for specialised fitness equipment.
    
     With effect from September 21, the handgrip strength test will be replaced by push-up, and the rules of 4x10m shuttle run will be modified as using feet instead of hands to touch the line mark when turning around. As for the other two items, namely the vertical jump and 800m run, the requirements will be retained. All applicants for police positions (including Probationary Inspector, Police Constable and Auxiliary Police Constable) who apply on or after September 21 will be arranged to undergo the revised Physical Fitness Test.

     A spokesman for the Police said, "The HKPF’s Physical Fitness Test for recruitment is a well-established and stringent selection process. The Force regularly reviews the entry requirements in order to select high-calibre candidates who possess the required duty-related physical fitness to join the Force. The revision, which has been approved based on research by sports science experts, enables a more objective, effective and comprehensive evaluation of whether applicants meet the required job competencies and are suitable for further training as police officers."

     The HKPF will continue to disseminate recruitment information and facilitate applicants to join the Force through publicity on various social media platforms and recruitment activities. From September 18 to October 13, the HKPF will visit 11 local universities to recruit high-calibre candidates. The "Police University Recruitment Express (PURE)" will be held on university campuses, featuring police career showcase, exclusive application fast track and on-the-spot written exams for Probationary Inspector candidates, providing a convenient pathway for university students to join the Force.
 
     In addition, the HKPF will expand the scope of "Police Mentorship Programme (PMP)" to encompass all post-secondary students who meet the academic requirements for joining the Force upon graduation. The recruitment of mentees will begin on September 8. For more information, please visit the Police Public Page (www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/15_recruit/pmp.html).
      
     For information regarding the HKPF’s Physical Fitness Test, please visit the following website (www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/15_recruit/fitness.html). Interested applicants may submit application online for police posts through the below website (www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/15_recruit/how_to_apply.html).

    

     Affected by torrential rain brought by the trough of low pressure associated with the remnants of Typhoon Haikui, extensive flooding has occurred in Hong Kong, causing severely disrupted public transportation and an extremely high risk of landslides. The Government announced today (September 8) that the extreme conditions will continue at least until 6pm.
 
     A Government spokesman called on members of the public again to stay indoors during the severe weather to ensure their own safety and to stay away from low-lying areas. Employers are reminded that all employees other than essential staff should not be required to report for duty at workplaces.
 
     "The work arrangement in times of extreme conditions is the same as that of a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8. Apart from essential staff who have an agreement with their employers to be on duty at workplaces when the extreme conditions exist, employees are advised to stay where they currently are or at safe places, instead of heading for work. The Government will review the situation, while employers and employees should stay alert to further government announcements."
 
     The Government will keep monitoring closely the latest situation of the weather, roads and public transport services, and announce the upcoming arrangements at 3pm today. Members of the public should pay attention to the latest information.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Government today (September 8) announced that as the extreme conditions will continue at least until 6pm, the Children Community Vaccination Centre and Private Clinic COVID-19 Vaccination Stations under the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will remain closed this afternoon and their vaccination service will continue being suspended.

     Affected persons can make a new vaccination appointment through the booking system on the website of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (booking.covidvaccine.gov.hk) from the next day of the original booking.

     The Home Vaccination Service scheduled has also been cancelled. The relevant medical organisations will contact affected persons for updated vaccination arrangements.