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The Government today (October 12) called on protesters to retreat from the junction of Lung Wo Road and Tim Wa Avenue and clear the blockages as soon as possible in order to resume a normal vehicular access to the Central Government Offices (CGO), providing a clear driveway for all vehicles.
"There is currently only one single pedestrian passageway leading to the CGO. Visitors and external activities are affected because of the blocked vehicular access. The operation of bureau and departments is also hindered as official vehicles of government officers cannot have through access to CGO as usual," said a Government spokesman.
As the junction of Lung Wo Road and Tim Wa Avenue is still occupied by protesters, only a few vehicles such as Rehabus, dispatch vans and refuse collection vehicles are able to enter the CGO. More travelling time than usual is required.
Citing the number of visitors as an example, a daily average of about 800 visitor permits were issued by the CGO in the third quarter of this year. However, only approximately 200 permits were issued daily in the past week, a drop of 75 per cent. On average, there were 700 vehicle trips in and out of the CGO each day in the past. But last week, this daily average drastically dropped by 98 per cent to 13 trips.
"Since October 3, a total of 60 meetings or events planned to be held in the CGO, including the Commission on Poverty Summit, have to be postponed, cancelled or relocated to other venues.
"Of the 80 meetings and events originally scheduled for the next two weeks, at least 12 have either been cancelled or are being considered for cancellation, postponement or relocation to other places. These include a meeting of the Financial Services Development Council, a celebration reception for Asian Games Incheon 2014, an award presentation ceremony of the Hong Kong Quality Management Association and a reception of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau for trade associations, affecting almost 800 guests and visitors in total.
"In addition, the staff canteen in the CGO will reopen tomorrow after renovation. We expect corresponding increase in the number of vehicles carrying fresh food to the CGO every day. Delivery workers cannot afford to negotiate with the protesters every time in and out of the CGO.
"The aforesaid reflects that the vehicular access to the CGO must be kept clear. The protesters should leave the junction of Lung Wo Road and Tim Wa Avenue as early as possible so that the Government can resume normal operation," reiterated the spokesman.
Ends/Sunday, October 12, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:09
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