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The Economic Development and Labour Bureau (EDLB) will move to a five-day week from July 1. Departments and agencies under the bureau's auspices – the Travel Agents Registry, Civil Aviation Department, Marine Department, Hong Kong Observatory and Hongkong Post – will also implement changes to their work hours.
Travel Agents Registry
Starting from July 1, the Travel Agents Registry office, including counter services, will be closed on Saturdays.
Travel agents and members of the public are welcome to submit documents to the Registry by post (Room 4901, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong), by fax or by electronic means, where appropriate.
Enquiries can be made through the Travel Agents Registry hotline: 3151 7945, fax: 2521 8829, or email: targr@edlb.gov.hk ).
Civil Aviation Department
Starting from July 1, the Personnel Licensing Office will cease to provide counter services for flight crew and aircraft maintenance engineers licensing on Saturdays. The provision of round-the-clock air traffic control services will remain unchanged.
For enquiries, please contact the department's enquiries hotline: 2867 4203, fax: 2869 0093, or email: enquiry@cad.gov.hk).
Marine Department
Most of the major professional ship surveying and inspection services, marine industrial safety inspection, examination and certification for maritime qualification, registration of ships, and general enquiry services will cease to be provided on Saturdays starting from July 1. Members of the public are advised to make advance bookings for the services by fax, phone, e-mail or through the drop-in box.
The services of China Ferry Terminal, Macau Ferry Terminal, Vessel Traffic Centre, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, all Public Cargo Working Areas and Harbour Patrol Section will continue to be provided in full on Saturdays.
Enquiries can be made through the Marine Department hotline: 2542 3711, fax: 2541 7194, or email: mdenquiry@mardep.gov.hk).
Hong Kong Observatory
The offices of the observatory, including counter services for sale of observatory publications, souvenirs and weather data at the Resource Centre, will be closed on Saturdays starting from July 1.
Members of the public wishing to purchase observatory publications on Saturdays can do so at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Sha Tin Post Office and Tuen Mun Post Office. Requests for service can also be made through the post, fax and email.
Weather services to the public, the marine and aviation sectors and special users will continue to operate round-the-clock seven days a week.
Enquiries can be made through the Observatory hotline: 2926 8441, fax: 2311 9448 or email: mailbox@hko.gov.hk)
Hongkong Post
Hongkong Post's counter services and mail delivery will continue to operate on Saturdays. Opening hours of Hongkong Post remain unchanged.
For details of the service hours, please visit the dedicated website (http://www.info.gov.hk/info/5day/) or make enquiries to the 24-hour 1823 Citizen's Easy Link.
Ends/Sunday, June 18, 2006
Issued at HKT 10:00
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