Hongkong Post announced today (February 10) that, as advised by the postal administration of Indonesia, due to the earthquake in Sulawesi Island and heavy rain in the Central Java and West Java provinces, mail delivery services (including Speedpost) to Indonesia for areas with postcodes listed below are subject to delay.
     

     In view of the latest developments of the epidemic situation, a Government spokesman announced today (February 10) that government departments will fully resume normal public services from February 18.
 
     "In light of the gradual stabilisation of the epidemic situation and taking into account the needs for the functioning of society and the economy, government departments will resume normal public services. As individual bureaux and departments may require more time to carry out necessary manpower deployment and procure supplies, or need to comply with the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599) or its regulations, some of their services may be resumed at a later time. They will make announcements of their latest service arrangements separately," the spokesman said.
  　
     "In view of the need to reduce flows of people and social contact, bureaux and departments will continue to implement targeted measures while resuming public services, such as staggering of work and lunch hours and using video conferencing to reduce the need for holding face-to-face meetings. As there may be a higher demand for various public services at the beginning of service resumption, the waiting time for public services may be lengthened, or a longer time may be needed for the processing of applications. We appeal for the understanding of members of the public."

     The spokesman appealed to the public to continue to use alternative means, such as post, drop-in boxes or online channels, to receive the services they need. Meanwhile, if members of the public have to visit government buildings or offices, they should wear surgical masks at all times, and comply with the infection control measures implemented by relevant departments including temperature checks, using the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app and crowd control arrangements.

     The Lands Department announced today (February 10) that in respect of the tender for the site Fanling Sheung Shui Town Lot No. 268 at the junction of On Lok Mun Street, On Chuen Street and On Kui Street, Fanling, New Territories, which was awarded on January 13 to the successful tenderer, Mapletree TM (HKSAR) Limited (parent company: Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd), on a 50-year land grant at a premium of $812,940,000, the tender amounts submitted by the unsuccessful tenderers in descending order are published on an anonymous basis as follows:
     
(1) $704,572,928
(2) $618,000,000
(3) $601,320,000
(4) $510,000,000
(5) $480,000,000
(6) $400,000,000
(7) $261,000,000

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

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, presented the Chief Executive's Commendation for Government/Public Service to seven serving and retired senior police officers at the presentation ceremony at the Ballroom of Government House today (February 10) in recognition of their significant contributions to safeguarding national security.
 
     The Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (National Security Law) was enacted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on June 30, 2020, and was promulgated for implementation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security. The HKSAR shoulders the important responsibility for safeguarding national security, and the Hong Kong Police Force has established a department for safeguarding national security with law enforcement capacity.
 
     In preparation for the implementation of the National Security Law and setting up its National Security Department, the Hong Kong Police Force had, within a critical time span, urgently completed the preparation for the necessary manpower, equipment, facilities, and the formulation of managerial and operational strategies and procedural guidelines. In the past few months, the responsible officers presented outstanding leadership, professionalism and courage to shoulder responsibility and unwavering commitment to discharge their duties in safeguarding national security. Their work is commendable. Amongst them, seven relevant police officers made personal sacrifices to safeguard national security and ensure the full implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy, demonstrating steadfastness and fearlessness. The Chief Executive fully recognised and commended their work.

     The Government also announced in the Gazette today the above awards.

     The citations of the award recipients are provided in the Appendix.

                  

     Police will implement crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements from February 12 to February 26 to facilitate worshippers visiting the Wong Tai Sin Temple during the Lunar New Year period. Police reminded members of the public to observe regulations on group gatherings and mask wearing in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Crowd safety management measures
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     Crowd safety management measures will be put into force daily between 7am and 7pm from February 12 to February 26. Police will set up queuing areas at Wong Tai Sin Temple Court and Wong Tai Sin Square. If necessary, Wong Tai Sin Public Transport Terminus Car Park will also be used as queuing area to relieve the crowding of worshippers.

     Should the temple be overcrowded, a ‘tidal flow system’ will be carried out and police officers will direct worshippers to enter the Temple in batches.  Worshippers are urged to follow the advice given by police officers and take extra care of their personal belongings as well as their young children and elderly companions and in handling joss stick.

Special traffic arrangements
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     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented daily between 7am and 7pm from February 12 to 21:

– Shatin Pass Road between Lung Cheung Road and Fung Tak Road will be closed, except for green minibuses;
– The unnamed road connecting Wong Tai Sin Road and Wong Tai Sin Temple will be closed, except for coaches, vehicles with valid monthly parking ticket, designated vehicles entering and leaving the emergency access of Sha Tin to Central Link, and vehicles of Sik Sik Yuen; and
– Vehicles cannot park or wait at Wong Tai Sin Road between Shatin Pass Road and Nga Chuk Street, except for taxi passengers alighting at the temporary taxi drop-off point at Wong Tai Sin Road westbound.

     Wong Tai Sin Public Transport Terminus Car Park will be closed from 7pm on February 11 to 12.01am on February 22. Subject to the prevailing situation, the aforesaid car park may be temporarily reopened during the period from February 17 to 7pm on February 19.

     Police will continue traffic enforcement action during the Lunar New Year period, including issuing fixed penalty tickets or towing away illegally parked vehicles without prior warning.

     Actual implementation of the crowd safety management measures and traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Members of the public are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of police on site.