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The Government has announced that all government staff will observe three minutes of silence in mourning from 2.28pm today (May 19) to express their deep condolences to those who died in the earthquake in Sichuan.
The Civil Service Bureau today issued a general notice to all Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments, reminding them that except for security and emergency services, all staff will observe three minutes' silence in mourning in a dignified standing mode from 2.28pm.
For solely government used buildings with common lobby area and/or where the national and Hong Kong SAR flags are displayed, staff can, on a voluntary basis, gather together to observe the three minutes silence.
During the three minutes' silence, the immigration and customs clearance services at Hong Kong's control points will be suspended. However, all emergency services will be maintained as normal.
To keep the public posted on the suspension of service during the three minutes' silence, public notices will be displayed at the offices concerned.
Government celebration activities scheduled during the three-day national mourning will be deferred where possible.
The Secretary for Education has issued a letter to all schools, kindergartens and child care centres in Hong Kong appealing to staff and students to observe three minutes of silence in mourning from 2.28pm today. All schools that hoist the national flag have been reminded to fly it at half mast from May 19 to May 21.
Six channels of RTHK (Channels 1,2,3,4,5 and Putonghua Channel) will relay the mourning service of the China National Radio at 2.28pm.
Ends/Monday, May 19, 2008
Issued at HKT 12:33
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