Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government offices rendering back-end and non- essential services suspended operations for the first time on a Saturday morning since their switch to a five-day week at the beginning of the month.

The changeover was generally smooth, said a government press release on Saturday.

A government spokesman said the authorities had closely monitored the development Saturday morning. A number of residents did turn up at the closed offices of some departments.

Government staff stationed on site took immediate steps to provide the residents with assistance, including responding to their inquiries, handing out application forms and taking note of requests that required follow-up action on Monday.

"We will keep in view the situation and continue to render appropriate assistance to members of the public in the coming weeks where necessary. We understand that members of the public need some time to adjust to the new work pattern," the spokesman said.

He pointed out that even on this Saturday morning, many government offices remained open, as emergency and essential services were not affected by the new work pattern, and people in need of assistance would still be able to get help.

"For instance, the opening hours of all post office counters, and all Immigration Department service counters (for registration of births, deaths and marriages), registration and replacement of identity cards, visa and travel document applications, remain unchanged. Mail delivery also continues on Saturdays."

Most services of the Social Welfare Department are also maintained on Saturdays. Examples include the departmental hotline service, integrated family service centers and social security field units.

Meanwhile, the Labor Department's 10 job centers, occupational health clinics and occupational medicine units for sick leave clearance operate on Saturdays, and the department's inquiry hotline continues its round-the-clock service.

"Moreover, the monitoring of public transport services and traffic conditions by the Emergency Transport Coordination Center continues to operate round the clock."

The spokesman reminded the public that it is not necessary for the public to acquire services in person following the move to five-day week pattern. They can obtain these services by other means of service delivery, such as by mail, facsimile, e-service or drop-in box, hence saving time in traveling to government offices and queuing up in front of service counters.

"Departments which close their service counters on Saturdays will keep them open longer from Monday to Friday," said the spokesman.

Among offices which have extended their working hours are the licensing offices of the Transport Department, which now operate from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.

The government would continue to publicize the new working pattern of the five-day week in the civil service, he said.

Before July 1, all government departments practiced five and a half days week pattern.

Source: Xinhua