HAD opens temporary cold shelters
In view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department has opened 18 temporary cold shelters in various districts today (January 6) for people in need of the service. The temporary shelters will remain open when the Cold Weather Warning is in force.
Clean mattresses and blankets/quilts, hot meals and hot water will be provided to shelter users free of charge during the opening of the temporary shelters.
To ensure that cold shelter users can rest in a quiet and undisturbed environment, members of the public or agencies wishing to make donations to shelter users are requested to register with the staff of the shelter first. Donors will then be directed to place the donated items at a specified indoor location. The staff will help notify the shelter users to collect the items on their own.
Anyone seeking temporary refuge, or those with any questions about the donation arrangements at the cold shelters, may call the department's hotline 2572 8427 for more information.
The 18 temporary cold shelters are located at:
Hong Kong Island:
--------------------
Central and Western:
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
Eastern:
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
Southern:
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
Wan Chai:
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
Kowloon:
------------------
Kowloon City:
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices,
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
Kwun Tong:
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
Sham Shui Po:
Nam Cheong District Community Centre
1 Cheong San Lane, Sham Shui Po
Wong Tai Sin:
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
Yau Tsim Mong:
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
New Territories:
----------------
Islands:
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
Kwai Tsing:
Tai Wo Hau Estate Community Centre
15 Tai Wo Hau Road, Kwai Chung
North:
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
Sai Kung:
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
Sha Tin:
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
Tai Po:
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
Tsuen Wan:
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
Tuen Mun:
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
Yuen Long:
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
Source: AI-found images
TD implements "Online Same-day Queue Ticket" arrangement for direct issue of Hong Kong Full Driving Licence
The Transport Department (TD) announced today (January 7) that,starting from next Monday (January 12), the Hong Kong Licensing Office (HKLO) at United Centre, Admiralty,will implementthe"Online Same-day Queue Ticket" arrangement for applications forthedirect issue oftheHong Kong Full Driving Licence ("direct issue"). This will fully replace the existing on-site ticketing arrangement, further streamlining application procedures, meeting increasing demand, and ensuring fair and orderly access to services forpersonsin need.
No on-site ticketing for direct issue in coming two days
Due totheabuse of the on-site ticketing arrangement, to prevent queuing for"direct issue"applications from affecting other licensing services while improving order management at the licensing office, the TD willcease theon-site ticketing for"direct issue"applications startingfromtomorrow (January 8). From January 12 onwards, applicants or their agents may obtain tickets online through the "Online Same-day Queue Ticket" service.In addition, the existing online appointment booking system for"direct issue"counter services remains unchanged, and applicants who have already booked appointments in advance may continue tovisitthe HKLO at their scheduled times to submit"direct issue"applications.
"Online Same-day Queue Ticket" arrangement
FromJanuary 12, the TD will open the system at 7amoneach working day to provide 300 same-day tickets. Each ticket allows submission of one"direct issue"application for the designated applicant. Applicants must access the "Online Same-day Queue Ticket" system via the designated webpage (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/osqt/index.html) to obtain a ticket on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants are required to input to thesystemwith information such as the first four digits/characters of the identification document number, English name, and mobile phone number (including numbers registered outside Hong Kong).
Successful applicants will receive SMS notifications sentby#cefs@govhk and have tovisitthe HKLO counter at the specified timeslot stated in the message to submit their applications. Late arrivals or absentees will need to re-apply for a ticket through thesystem. The TD will continue to monitortheapplication demand and adjust the number ofsame-daytickets as necessary.
The "Online Same-day Queue Ticket" arrangement is provided with the assistance of the Digital Policy Office (DPO), which aims to facilitate remote same-day ticket collectionby "direct issue"applicants, eliminating the need for physical queuing and simplifying the application process. The TD willworkcloselywiththeDPO to ensure smooth and stable system operation.
The HKLO willput up notices on the new "Online Same-day Queue Ticket" arrangement for "direct issue" applications and deploy additional staff to maintain order, answer public enquiries, and provide assistance. Ticketing and queuing arrangements for other driving licence-related counter services remain unchanged.
A TD spokesman stressed that the department has always processed and verified each"direct issue"application in a stringent manner. Applicants must submit sufficient, true and accurate documentary proof and fully meet the eligibility criteria stipulated under the law before approval will be granted.
Towards full online services for"direct issue"applications
Further, the TD is working closely withtheDPO to enhance the online appointment booking system for"direct issue"counter services, including the introduction of new authentication technologies and expansion of system capacity, with a view to fully implementing online appointment booking services as soon as possible and extending "direct issue" counter services to the other three Licensing Offices, namely the Kowloon Licensing Office at Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, the Kwun Tong Licensing Office at Kowloon East Government Offices, and the Sha Tin Licensing Office at Sha Tin Government Offices.
In the longer term, the TD is actively exploring the use of artificial intelligence technologies in"direct issue"application procedures. Applicants will be able to upload application documents for preliminary vetting online and only need to bring the original documents to the Licensing Office at their booked timeslot for verification. This will further reducetheneed for submission via agents.TheTD will continue to promote digitalisation of licensing services and announce details of new initiatives in due course.
Source: AI-found images
