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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will implement the first phase of the five-day week initiative from July 1. Only back offices that provide internal and indirect services and the General Enquiries Counter at its headquarters will be affected.
A department spokesman said today (June 13) that the office hours of other counter services and front-line units that had direct contact with the public would remain unchanged.
"There will be no change to existing services in the country parks and marine parks, where most people visit during weekends. Nor will there be any change to wholesale markets which continue to run seven days a week," he said.
"The shroff office and counter services for application or issuance of permits and licences, such as those for animals' import and export, which are at present provided on Saturdays will remain unchanged under Phase One."
From July 1, the department's back offices and its General Enquiries Counter, on 5/F Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, will open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.45pm. They will be closed on Saturdays.
Some frequently asked questions and answers concerning the AFCD are available on the department website at http://www.afcd.gov.hk/eindex.html.
Ends/Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:31
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