The East Wing Forecourt (the Forecourt) of the Central Government Offices (CGO), Tamar, will be reopened tomorrow (December 28) to resume its function as a vehicular access to CGO, a passenger pick-up/drop-off point for CGO and a passageway for visitors and staff of CGO and the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex.  
 
     There will be no change to the Forecourt's daily use as a passageway after its opening. 
 
     The daily opening hours of the Forecourt as a passageway will be from 6am to 11pm. The Forecourt will be closed to general access from 11pm to 6am daily. During the closing hours of the Forecourt, LegCo Members and persons holding valid staff/media permits issued by CGO or LegCo will be allowed access as usual. 
 
     Apart from the Forecourt, members of the public can also gain access to the LegCo Complex via Tamar Park, or Tim Mei Avenue by using the escalators or elevators at the elevated walkway connecting Harcourt Road and Tim Mei Avenue. 
 
     In addition, visitors to the East Wing or West Wing of CGO who travel by vehicle can access the Forecourt via Tim Mei Avenue for pick-up/drop-off during the daily opening hours from 6am to 11pm. The vehicular entrance at the West Wing of CGO via Tim Wa Avenue will continue to be accessible for government vehicles and pre-registered vehicles.
 
     As in the past, members of the public may apply to the Administration Wing from the reopening date for permission to use the Forecourt for public meetings or processions on Sundays and public holidays. The earliest date for use will be December 31, 2017 (Sunday). The opening hours of the Forecourt for holding public meetings/processions will be from 10am to 6.30pm on Sundays and public holidays.  There is no change to the arrangement for application to use the Forecourt for such purposes.  The related guidelines, application form, conditions of use and relevant regulatory requirements have been uploaded to the webpage of the Administration Wing (www.admwing.gov.hk/eng/public_service/pservices.htm).
 
     Other than the above sessions specified for opening to hold public meetings/processions, no activities such as public meetings or submission of petition letters will be allowed to take place in the Forecourt. The Administration Wing appeals to the public to respect and observe the provisions governing the use of the Forecourt in order not to cause any inconvenience to other persons.
 
     A section of the pavement at Tim Mei Avenue outside the Forecourt will continue to be a designated public activities area where the public may hold public meetings or submit petition letters to the Government at any time without having to seek prior official approval, subject to compliance with the provisions relating to public meetings/processions under the Public Order Ordinance.

Ends/Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Issued at HKT 14:00

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