As Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 is now in force, the Labour Department (LD) today (October 9) reminded employers to make work arrangements for staff during and after tropical cyclone and rainstorm warnings, including arrangements on reporting for duty, release from work, resumption of work and work from home (if applicable). In implementing the work arrangements and contingency measures, employers should give consideration as much as possible to the different situations faced by individual employees, such as their place of residence and the road and traffic conditions in the vicinity, and adopt a sympathetic and flexible approach with due regard to their actual difficulties and needs. For example, employers may permit employees who have difficulties in returning to workplaces to work from home or allow more time for them to report for duty and resume work. Employers should also observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under relevant legislation.
 
     The LD has published the "Code of Practice in Times of Typhoons and Rainstorms", which outlines the major principles, the framework, the reference guidelines and information on relevant legislation for reference in drawing up the work arrangements under adverse weather conditions for employers and employees. The booklet can be downloaded from the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf). 

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

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

     As the Gale or Storm Signal no.8 has been issued, the Marine Department reminds vessel owners, masters and persons-in-charge of vessels that they should take precautionary measures immediately and properly secure their vessels at safe locations.

     In case of an accident, a report should be made immediately to the Vessel Traffic Centre at 2233 7801.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
     The Government announced today (October 9) that as the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 is now in force, all Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) under the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will remain closed and suspend vaccination service. The CVCs will open and resume vaccination service three hours after the cancellation of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 and they will operate until the normal closing time.
 
     For persons with a booking affected by the closure of the CVCs, their booking will be rescheduled to a later date and they will be informed of their new appointment date and time by SMS notification. If their booking is for the second vaccination dose and the CVCs resume vaccination service later today, they may go to the CVC they selected in their original booking during the remaining opening hours for vaccination today.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority announces that as the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 has been issued, its general out-patient clinics will be closed today while the Accident and Emergency services at public hospitals will remain normal. Outpatients are advised to make a new appointment after the cancellation of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

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

     During a typhoon, you are advised not to touch any broken electrical cables. Report such cases to the electricity companies immediately. Touching broken electrical conductors can cause an electric shock and may result in fatality.