Special traffic and transport arrangements for Northern Metropolis Marathon on November 1
The Transport Department (TD) today (October 26) reminded members of the public and visitors that temporary road closures will be implemented in phases on various road sections in Shek Mun, Lung Shan Tunnel (northbound) and Fanling Bypass (southbound) from 2am on Sunday (November 1) to facilitate the Northern Metropolis Marathon 2026.
Affected road sections to reopen in phases by around 3pm
The three major events of the Northern Metropolis Marathon (namely the marathon, half-marathon and 10km race) will start at Shek Mun, Hong Kong Science Park and Fanling Bypass respectively, and all will finish at Fanling Bypass. Subject to the arrangements and progress of the events, it is estimated that On Lai Street and its vicinity in Shek Mun will be reopened at 8am, the Lung Shan Tunnel (northbound) will be reopened by around 11am and the Fanling Bypass (southbound) will be reopened by around 3pm.
Public transport arrangements
During road closures, seven franchised bus routes (Citybus routes Nos. B7, B8, 79, 79X and KMB routes Nos. B9, B9A and 78S) and two green minibus routes (routes Nos. 67A and 811A) will be affected and subject to route diversion, truncation, or service suspension until the reopening of roads. Additionally, to facilitate the event, the first departures for the MTR East Rail Line (between Hung Hom Station and Sheung Shui Station) and the Tuen Ma Line (between Tai Wai Station and Wu Kai Sha Station) will be advanced on November 1, with the first departure on the East Rail Line (Hung Hom Station to Sheung Shui Station) to be operated at 4.20am.
Traffic arrangements
Due to the closure of Lung Shan Tunnel (northbound), motorists travelling from Fanling Highway to the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Sha Tau Kok will be diverted via Sha Tau Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau and Ma Mei Ha sections). During the road closure period, the Fanling Highway Bus-Bus Interchange next to the slip road entrance of Lung Shan Tunnel (northbound) will also be temporarily closed until the reopening of Lung Shan Tunnel (northbound) at 11am. Lung Shan Tunnel (southbound)will remain in normal operation.
Due to the closure of Fanling Bypass (southbound), motorists travelling from North District town centre to Kowloon will be diverted via Jockey Club Road. Fanling Bypass (northbound) will remain in normal operation.
Plan journeys early
The TD appeals to the public to pay attention to the temporary road closures and public transport service adjustments on that day. Members of the public are advised to plan their routes early, use railway services and allow more travelling time to avoid any delays. Members of the public heading for the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point are advised to plan their journey early to avoid any delay caused by road closures and traffic diversions. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to the affected areas.
The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation. Other temporary road and traffic control measures, including adjusting the extent of road closures and alteration or suspension of public transport services, may be implemented by the Police at short notice depending on the actual traffic conditions. Members of the public and visitors should heed the latest traffic news via the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk), HKeMobility mobile app and radio and TV broadcasts, or relevant public transport operators' websites or mobile apps for details of service adjustments.
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COVID-19 vaccines for children available from October 29
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (October 26) that COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 months to 11 years under the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme have arrived in Hong Kong. Members of the public can make appointments for eligible children through the Government's online booking platform starting from tomorrow (October 27) at noon.
"Scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death. Although COVID-19 has become a common respiratory infection in Hong Kong and around the world, certain high-risk individuals, especially young children, who have not received their initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and have not developed immunity through natural infection, face a higher risk of serious complications if they become infected. The World Health Organization (WHO), the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (JSC) under the CHP earlier recommended that COVID-19 vaccines of the LP.8.1, XFG or NB.1.8.1 lineages may be used in the 2026/27 season. In accordance with the above recommendations, the Government has procured the Spikevax XFG mRNA vaccine for children and will begin administering free vaccinations to eligible infants and children aged 6 months to 11 years from Thursday (October 29)," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
Members of the public can make appointments for eligible infants and children aged 6 months to 11 years through the Government's online booking platform at noon on October 27. Parents can also make appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations via the eHealth mobile application for infants and children registered with the eHealth. The system will automatically fill in personal particulars and any COVID-19 vaccination history to facilitate the public when making bookings.
Infants and children may receive COVID-19 vaccinations at designated Maternal and Child Health Centres or Student Health Service Centres under the DH, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, or designated Private Clinic COVID-19 Vaccination Stations. For details, please refer to the relevant webpage.
According to the JSC's latest recommendations, children aged 6 months to 4 years without prior COVID-19 infection should receivetwo doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for completion of initial doses, with an interval of at least 28 days between doses. Children aged 5 years or above (regardless of history of infection) and children aged 6 months to 4 years with prior COVID-19 infection require only one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for completion of the initial dose.
In addition, immunocompetent children aged 6 months to 11 years should receive booster doses at least six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later), regardless of the number of doses received previously.
Regarding the new batch of COVID-19 vaccines suitable for individuals aged 12 or above, the relevant procurement process is underway. Details will be announced separately.
"Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June this year. When children receive their COVID-19 vaccine, if they have not yet received the seasonal influenza vaccine, parents may inquire at the vaccination venues about arrangements for the seasonal influenza vaccine. According to scientific evidence, COVID-19 vaccines and seasonal influenza vaccines can be administered at the same time to provide dual protection," said Dr Tsui.
Members of the public may refer to the CHP's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and Seasonal Influenza Webpagefor more information.
Source: AI-found images
