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 (February 16) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Hongkong Post announced today (February 15) that, as advised by the postal administration of the United States, mail delivery services previously impacted by an ice storm have returned to normal.

     In view of the high demand for public parking spaces at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point (HYW BCP), a Government spokesman today (February 15) said that the Government has been adopting a multipronged approach, including the adjustment of booking arrangements and parking rates of the HYW BCP Public Car Park (BCP Public Car Park), and the provision of additional parking spaces near the control point, to enhance convenience for the public to use the Heung Yuen Wai/Liantang Control Point (HYW/LT CP) to travel between the Mainland and Hong Kong.
 
Enhancement measures at BCP Public Car Park
 
     Having reviewed the parking situation at the BCP Public Car Park, the Government Property Agency will implement enhancement measures to ensure the smooth operation of the carpark, including:
 
(i) From February 17, only vehicles with online booking will be allowed to park at the BCP Public Car Park. Vehicles without prior booking will not be accepted. The booking system will resume operation at 0.01am on February 17; and
 
(ii) To minimise the situation of vehicles parking beyond their reserved time slots, the parking fees including overtime parking charges (for vehicles leaving later than the reserved departure time) will be adjusted. The new rates will take effect on February 24. Please refer to the Annex for the new parking rates.
 
Increasing supply of parking spaces 
 
     Apart from the existing BCP Public Car Park, the Government also strives to facilitate the supply of additional car parks and parking spaces in the vicinity of the Control Point. In recent years, the Government has processed several planning applications for converting private lands next to the Control Point into temporary car parks and some of the land lots have already been converted to private car parks. The Government will continue to process similar planning applications in a proactive manner and will expedite the process as appropriate. Furthermore, the Government will explore the feasibility of utilising suitable government lands near the Control Point as temporary public car parks.

     In the long run, the Government will continue to review the development of the area and the demand for parking spaces so as to consider the need for increasing supply of permanent public parking spaces.

     The HYW/LT CP is designed and constructed based on the concept of "direct access to people and vehicles". The Government will continue to closely monitor the traffic and transport situation at the Control Point and take appropriate actions with a view to facilitating public commuting between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

Attention TV and radio duty announcers:

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

     A fire broke out at Wang Toi Shan Lo Uk Tsuen in Pat Heung at 4.05pm today (February 15). The Fire Services Department is conducting a firefighting operation. 

     Members of the public who are being affected by the smoke and an unusual odour carried by the wind are advised to close their doors and windows and stay calm.

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 (February 15) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The red flag was hoisted at Silverstrand Beach earlier on after a red tide was found. The red tide has now dissipated.