Hong Kong – Special boundary-crossing arrangements during Lunar New Year holidays and associated public transport service arrangements

Special boundary-crossing arrangements during Lunar New Year holidays and associated public transport service arrangements

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     The Transport Department (TD) today (February 8) reminded the public that the operating hours of the passenger clearance service of individual boundary control points (BCPs) will be extended during the Lunar New Year holidays, and that the following associated special traffic and transportation arrangements will be implemented.
 
(1) Lo Wu Control Point
 
     On Lunar New Year Eve (February 9) and the second day of the Lunar New Year (February 11), the operating hours of the passenger clearance service of the Lo Wu Control Point will be extended to 2am on the following days (i.e. February 10 and 12). The service hours of the MTR East Rail Line will be extended correspondingly. The last train heading for Lo Wu Station will depart from Admiralty Station at 0.56am while the last train heading for Admiralty Station will depart from Lo Wu Station at 2.30am. On the evening of the second day of Lunar New Year (February 11), since other MTR lines will maintain normal operating hours, passengers using the East Rail Line during the extended service hours are advised to plan their journey in advance. They may contact the relevant public transport operators, if needed.
 
     The Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point will be closed at 10.30pm on both days (February 9 and 11) as usual. The service hours of the East Rail Line train service to and from Lok Ma Chau Station will not be extended.
 
(2) Shenzhen Bay Port
 
     Shenzhen Bay Port will implement a 24-hour passenger clearance service from 6.30am on Lunar New Year Eve (February 9) to midnight of the fifth day of the Lunar New Year (February 14). In connection with this arrangement, New Lantao Bus and Citybus will operate special overnight route Nos. NB2 (Yuen Long/Tin Shui Wai-Shenzhen Bay Port) (circular route) and NB3 (Tuen Mun-Shenzhen Bay Port) respectively.
 
     Cross-boundary coach operators will also operate additional overnight cross-boundary coach services between urban areas (including Prince Edward, Yau Ma Tei and Wan Chai) and the Shenzhen Bay Port during small hours (i.e. from midnight to 6.30am) from first day of the Lunar New Year (February 10) to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year (February 14).
 
(3) Lok Ma Chau Control Point
 
     During the Lunar New Year holiday, the Lok Ma Chau Control Point will maintain a 24-hour operation. The short-haul cross-boundary coach routes plying between urban areas (including Prince Edward, Jordan, Wan Chai and Kwun Tong) and Huanggang Port, as well as the Yellow Bus plying between Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange and Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port will enhance services.
 
     In connection with Lunar New Year celebration events, the terminus of the short-haul cross-boundary coach route plying between Jordan and Huanggang Port at the Austin Road Cross Boundary Coach Terminus will temporarily be relocated to the coach pick-up and drop-off area at Wui Man Road outside Hong Kong West Kowloon Station on the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 10) and the second day of the Lunar New Year (February 11) from 8pm to midnight. On the other hand, the terminus of the short-haul cross-boundary coach route plying between Wan Chai and Huanggang Port at Exhibition Station Public Transport Interchange will temporarily be relocated to Hennessy Road (Westbound) near Southorn Centre from 4.30pm on the second day of Lunar New Year (February 11) until the reopening of the roads.
 
     Subject to actual traffic conditions, special traffic measures may be implemented in the vicinity of ​​San Tin Interchange, San Sham Road and the Lok Ma Chau Control Point to allowing smooth access of public transport vehicles including cross-boundary coaches, Yellow Buses, Green Minibuses and taxis to the Lok Ma Chau Control Point.  
 
     On the other hand, only those cross-boundary private cars (i.e. private cars with dual license plates of the Mainland and Hong Kong) issued with Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port Closed Road Permits (i.e. Permits) will be allowed to use the Lok Ma Chau Control Point between midnight and 6.30am daily from the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 10) to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year (February 14). Other cross-boundary private cars holding Permits for Shenzhen Bay, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok Ports must use the Shenzhen Bay Port or the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (Hong Kong Port) instead during these periods. Cross-boundary private cars issued with Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port Closed Road Permits may also use the Shenzhen Bay Port or the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (Hong Kong Port). The TD will inform relevant cross-boundary private car permit holders of the arrangement via SMS.
 
     The TD anticipates that a large amount of passengers will use public transport services to cross the boundary via various land-based Boundary Control Points during the Lunar New Year Eve and Lunar New Year holiday, and that the waiting time for cross-boundary public transport services may be longer than usual. Passengers waiting for public transport services are advised to observe order and  follow the advice of the Police and staff of the public transport operators on-site. Cross-boundary coach passengers are also advised to plan their journeys ahead and reserve tickets in advance.
 
     A spokesman for the TD specially reminded the public that “on the night of the second day of the Lunar New Year (February 11), only the service of the MTR East Rail Line plying between Admiralty and Lo Wu will be extended, while other MTR lines and the connecting public transport services will maintain their normal operating hours. Members of the public are advised to pay attention to the details of the public transport services concerned, and plan their journeys ahead. They may contact the relevant public transport operators if needed.
 
     “The Government encourages visitors to carefully plan their itinerary, which includes considering an overnight stay in Hong Kong and avoiding departure via land boundary control points in the small hours, to enjoy a more diversified travel experience in Hong Kong.”
 
     Details of the special boundary-crossing arrangements and associated public transport services during the Lunar New Year holidays are available at the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/land_based_cross_boundary_transport/sbca2024/index.html).

Hong Kong – Make prior work arrangements for rainstorms

Make prior work arrangements for rainstorms

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     The Labour Department (LD) today (September 14) reminded employers to make prior work arrangements for staff during and after rainstorms as early as possible, including arrangements on reporting for duty, release from work, resumption of work and work from home (if applicable). These arrangements not only can ensure the safety of employees and smooth operation of organisations, but also are conducive to maintaining good labour-management relations.
 
     “Employers should make prior work arrangements and contingency measures for staff. In drawing up and implementing the work arrangements, employers should give prime consideration to employees’ safety and the feasibility for employees to travel to and from their workplaces. Employers should also 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,” an LD spokesman said.
 
     “To avoid misunderstanding, disputes and confusion, employers should draw up the work arrangements in consultation with employees and make appropriate updates or amendments based on the experience of each occasion and the needs of both employers and employees as well as the actual situations.”
 
     The work arrangements should cover the following matters:
 
* Arrangements in respect of reporting for duty;
* Arrangements in respect of early release from work;
* Arrangements in respect of resumption of work (e.g. the number of hours within which employees should resume duty after the warning concerned is cancelled, when safety and traffic conditions allow);
* Arrangements in respect of work from home (e.g. duty and work arrangements during and after tropical cyclone and rainstorm warnings);
* Arrangements regarding working hours, wages and allowances (e.g. calculation of wages and allowances in respect of reporting for duty and absence); and
* Special arrangements in respect of essential staff in times of adverse weather.
 
     “Employers should conduct a timely and realistic assessment of whether there is any need for requiring essential staff to report for duty at workplaces when a rainstorm warning is in force. In assessing the need for essential staff, employers should take into account the safety of employees, including the feasibility for employees to travel to and from their workplaces or work from home in adverse weather. Employers should also consider the business nature, operational needs and urgency of service, with due regard to the manpower requirements, staffing establishment and individual situations of employees. Employers should require only absolutely essential staff to report for duty at workplaces in adverse weather conditions and the number of essential staff at workplaces should be kept to a minimum as far as possible,” the spokesman added.
 
     “If a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued during working hours, employees working indoors should continue to work as usual unless it is dangerous to do so. Supervisors of employees working outdoors in exposed areas should suspend outdoor duties as soon as practicable. They should arrange for their employees to take shelter temporarily and resume duty only when weather conditions permit. When the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued, those employees should not resume duty until the warning is cancelled and weather conditions permit. If the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is still in force by the end of working hours, employees should stay in a safe place until the heavy rain has passed. A suitable location in the workplace should be made available by employers as temporary shelter for employees.
 
     “Employers should provide transport services for employees who are required to travel to and from workplaces when the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force, or grant them an extra travelling allowance.
 
     “For staff who have practical difficulties in resuming work on time upon cancellation of a rainstorm warning, employers should give due consideration to the circumstances of individual employees and handle each case flexibly. 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.
 
     “As rainstorms are natural occurrences that cannot be avoided, for employees who are not able to report for duty or resume work on time due to adverse weather conditions, employers should not withhold their wages, good attendance bonuses or allowances without reasons. Employers should enquire into the reasons and give due consideration to the exceptional circumstances in each case and should not penalise or dismiss the employee concerned rashly,” he said.
 
     The spokesman also reminded employers to observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance.
 
     Employers should not deduct the annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days to which employees are entitled under the Employment Ordinance so as to compensate for the loss of working hours resulting from employees’ failure to report for duty upon the announcement of a Black Rainstorm Warning Signal. An employer who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with relevant provisions under the Employment Ordinance is liable to prosecution.
 
     Employers should also note that they have an obligation to provide and maintain a safe working environment for their employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance. “If employees are required to work in times of rainstorms, employers should ensure that the risks at work are reduced as far as reasonably practicable,” the spokesman said.
 
     Under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, employers are liable to pay compensation for deaths or injury incurred when employees are travelling by a direct route from their residence to their workplace, or from their workplace back to their residence after work, four hours before or after working hours on a day when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher or a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force, or within the period (including any extended period) during which “extreme conditions” that arise from a super typhoon or other natural disaster of a substantial scale exist as specified in an “extreme conditions” announcement.
 
     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 on making work arrangements for the reference of employers and employees. The booklet can be obtained from branch offices of the Labour Relations Division or downloaded from the department’s webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf).

Hong Kong – Work arrangements after “extreme conditions”

Work arrangements after “extreme conditions”

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     As the “extreme conditions” will cease to exist at midnight, employers are reminded to make practical and reasonable work arrangements for staff, including flexible arrangements for staff to resume work or work from home (if applicable), with due consideration to road and traffic conditions and other factors. 
 
     “For staff who have practical difficulties in resuming work on time, employers should give due consideration to their situations and handle each case flexibly, such as permitting 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. Moreover, employers should not withhold their wages, good attendance bonuses or allowances without reasons, and should not penalise or dismiss the employee concerned rashly,” a Labour Department spokesman said today (September 8).

     The spokesman also reminded employers to observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance.

     Employers should not deduct annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days to which employees are entitled under the Employment Ordinance to compensate for the loss of working hours resulting from employees’ failure to report for duty when the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force, or when the “extreme conditions” exist. An employer who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with the relevant provisions under the Employment Ordinance is liable to prosecution.

     Employers should also note that they have an obligation to provide and maintain a safe working environment for their employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance.

Hong Kong – Arrangements for DH clinics

Arrangements for DH clinics

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Attention duty announcers of radio and television stations:

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

     The Department of Health (DH) today (September 2) announced that, as the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 is now in force, all DH clinics are closed, except for methadone clinics which will be open for the normal operating hours. Those receiving methadone treatment can attend methadone clinics for their daily dose.

     The public is advised to pay attention to radio and television announcements.

Hong Kong – Work arrangements after rainstorm warnings

Work arrangements after rainstorm warnings

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     The Labour Department (LD) today (July 29) reminded employers to make practical and reasonable work arrangements for staff after rainstorms. Employers should also make flexible arrangements for staff to resume work or work from home (if applicable) after a rainstorm warning is cancelled, with due consideration to road and traffic conditions and other factors. This will help maintain good labour-management relations, and ensure the safety of employees and the smooth operation of organisations.

     “For staff who have practical difficulties in resuming work on time upon cancellation of a rainstorm warning, employers should give due consideration to the situations of individual employees and handle each case flexibly. 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. As rainstorms are natural occurrences that cannot be avoided, for employees who are not able to report for duty or resume duty on time due to adverse weather conditions, employers should not withhold their wages, good attendance bonus or allowances without reasons. Employers should enquire into the reasons and give due consideration to the exceptional circumstances in each case, and should not penalise or dismiss the employee concerned rashly,” an LD spokesman said.

     The spokesman also reminded employers to observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance.

     Employers should not deduct the annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days to which employees are entitled under the Employment Ordinance so as to compensate for the loss of working hours resulting from employees’ failure to report for duty upon the issuance of a Black Rainstorm Warning Signal. An employer who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with relevant provisions under the Employment Ordinance is liable to prosecution.

     Employers should also note that they have an obligation to provide and maintain a safe working environment for their employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance.

     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 on making work arrangements for the reference of employers and employees. The booklet can be obtained from branch offices of the Labour Relations Division or downloaded from the department’s webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf).