Amendment Regulations on streamlining of permit applications for cross-boundary vehicles gazetted
The Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2025, the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulation 2025, the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulation 2025 and the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (collectively the Amendment Regulations) were gazetted today (July 18). The Amendment Regulations seek to provide greater convenience for cross-boundary vehicles by streamlining the arrangements of Closed Road Permits (CRP) and International Circulation Permits (ICP).
A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "With the increasingly frequent traffic flow among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, the Government has been proactively enhancing the relevant licensing services of the Transport Department in order to assist drivers and more effectively respond to the growing demand for cross-boundary travel. The Amendment Regulations will streamline the application procedures and requirements, and are expected to reduce and simplify the procedures for applicants/permit holders of the regular quota schemes, Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles and the recently announced Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles schemes, bringing them greater convenience."
The major proposed amendments in the Amendment Regulations include:
(1) CRP: extending the maximum validity period of CRP from 12 months to 60 months for cross-boundary vehicles, and adjusting the fee levels for CRP to cost-recovery levels; and exempting vehicles participating in designated cross-boundary driving schemes that meet the specified requirements from applying for a CRP based on risk control consideration. As the CRP will either be exempted or with its validity extended, the CRP fees payable by users will generally be reduced; and
(2) ICP: introducing electronic ICPs (e-ICP) with a streamlined application and collection process, allowing applicants to submit applications and supporting documents online, and to collect e-ICP with self-printing.
The Government consulted the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport on the above streamlining arrangements for CRP and ICP respectively, and received general support from the Members. The Amendment Regulations will be tabled at the LegCo on July 23 for negative vetting. Subject to scrutiny by the LegCo, the exemption arrangement for CRP and the streamlining measures for ICP under the Amendment Regulations will be effective on October 1 this year; and the arrangements for extension of CRP validity period and fees adjustment will be effective on January 1, 2026. The Transport Department will continue to enhance different cross-boundary transport measures, providing a better travel experience for Hong Kong citizens and cross-boundary travellers.
Source: AI-found images
Chinese medicine sector fully supports residents affected by Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire by providing free Chinese medicine consultation services
The Health Bureau (HHB) announced today (December 14) that free Chinese medicine (CM) consultation services will be provided to residents affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po starting tomorrow (December 15). In addition, various CM services will also be deployed to fully address their medical needs.
Free Chinese medicine consultation services
To ensure the affected residents receive more comprehensive medical support, free CM consultation services will be launched starting tomorrow. Under the co-ordination of the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) and the Chinese Medicine Unit of the HHB, 150 CM practitioners have participated in the free CM consultation services, covering more than 170 service points. Starting from tomorrow until February 28, 2026, all residents of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court (including foreign domestic helpers) can receive up to three free CM consultation services, including the provision of medication and related treatments based on their clinical needs, through the arrangement of the District Health Centres/ District Health Centre Expresses (collectively referred to as DHCs) across all 18 districts in Hong Kong. The scope of free CM consultation services covers health conditions that may arise after the fire, such as emotional changes, insomnia, palpitations; coughing, wheezing, dry throat, and itchy throat; physical weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, dyspepsia; as well as pain and musculoskeletal injuries.
Affected residents with medical needs can call the hotlines or visit any DHC in person to seek assistance, regardless of their current place of residence. Those who are registered DHC members may also contact their respective DHC directly. The hotlines have been posted on the websites of the PHC Commission and the DHCs. Case managers of the DHCs will pair them with CM practitioners participating in the free CM consultation scheme based on their individual situation and preferences.
The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong
All residents of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court (including foreign domestic helpers), and all individuals injured in the fire and admitted to public hospitals under the Hospital Authority (HA) can receive full fee waivers at the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) until December 31, 2026. The waivers cover all government-subsidised services of CMHHK, including General Clinic, Specialised Clinic, Allied Health Services, day-patient services, as well as special Western medicine diagnostic procedures and medications (discharge medication collection). Relevant individuals can identify themselves to CMHHK and provide basic personal information (including name, identity card number and residential address) during consultations to facilitate the arrangement.
Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres located in 18 districts
Following the fire, the Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres (CMCTRs) under the HA promptly provide support in Sha Tin District, Tai Po District, and North District through enhancing CM services, arranging rescheduling of appointments, and re-dispensing of Chinese medicines.
Starting from December 2, the 18 CMCTRs have been fully supporting all residents of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court (including foreign domestic helpers). They are eligible for full medical fee waivers until December 31 2026, covering government-subsidised CM outpatient services, including general consultation, acupuncture and bone-setting/tui-na. Relevant individuals can call the CMCTRs during their service hours or make an appointment via the "18 CM Clinics" mobile application. They shall identify themselves to the CMCTRs and provide basic personal information (including name, identity card number and residential address) upon registration to proceed with the arrangement. The CMCTRs will provide priority booking for the affected residents. In addition, the Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine Services under the HA's public hospitals/ambulatory care centres/out-patient clinics (currently available for six selected disease areas) will also waive service fees for relevant individuals.
Information about the 18 CMCTRs can be found on the HACMK website.
The HHB expresses gratitude to the CM sector and non-governmental organisations for their dedication to providing various CM support to the affected residents. The Government will continue to co-ordinate various medical services to support the physical and mental health needs of the residents.
Source: AI-found images
