Cold Front Approaches Hong Kong: Prepare for Winter Weather and Take Precautions, Especially for the Elderly

HKO and SCHSA remind public that weather will cool appreciably in next few days

The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) and the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association (SCHSA) held a joint press conference today (November 17) to remind the public that the weather will become appreciably cooler in the next few days and to prepare for winter.

The Acting Assistant Director of the HKO, Ms Tse Shuk-mei, said at the press conference, "A cold front is moving southwards. It is expected to move across the coast of Guangdong around midnight tonight. Under the influence of the associated intense northeast monsoon, it will be windy and appreciably cooler in the next couple of days. Meanwhile, under a broad band of clouds, it will be cloudy with one or two light rain patches in Hong Kong. On Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures will drop to about 14 degrees in the urban areas, and it will be cold over parts of the New Territories. As it will be windy, wind chill effect will be rather significant. It will still be cool in the morning later this week. The public, especially the elderly, persons with chronic medical conditions, or those planning for outdoor activities, should pay attention to the changing weather and take appropriate precautions."

The Chief Executive Officer of the SCHSA, Ms Maura Wong, said, "The SCHSA's 24/7 'Care-On-Call' Service Centre sees a sharp rise in requests for assistance every winter. Last winter, we handled an average of 95.6 emergency-aid requests per day via the 'Care-On-Call' system, which is 12.6 per cent more than the daily average in 2024. We urge the elderly to keep warm and request assistance through 'Care-On-Call' services promptly if they feel unwell. Caregivers should also proactively care for the elderly around them and make sure they receive appropriate support."

The public can obtain the latest weather forecast and the nine-day weather forecast via the HKO's Dial-a-Weather service at 1878 200, mobile app "MyObservatory", or through the HKO's website at the following links:

Weather forecast: www.weather.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/currwx/flw.htm

Nine-day weather forecast: www.weather.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/currwx/fnd.htm

HKO and SCHSA remind public that weather will cool appreciably in next few days Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (December 8) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted a 31-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (December 7). About 13 900 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $62,000 and a duty potential of about $46,000, were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases