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The Buildings Department will move to a five-day week from July 1, but round-the-clock emergency services will continue.
In line with the Government's five-day week initiative, the department's Receipt and Counter, which receives applications for various permits and building plans submissions under the Buildings Ordinance, will be closed on Saturdays but open longer on weekdays. The Building Information Centre, where viewing services of building plans and records are available, and other services, such as making case enquiries relating to building plans submissions and removal and repair orders issued by the department will also move to a five-day week.
A spokesman said today (June 15) that the department would continue to provide round-the-clock services to handle emergencies relating to building safety. "Audit checks of construction sites, which are conducted in the form of surprise checks, will be maintained from Mondays to Saturdays. The department's general telephone enquiries and complaints hotline will also remain unchanged," the spokesman said.
He added that the various service standards and performance targets under the department's performance pledge that was previously promulgated would not be affected by the changes. For enquiries, please call the general telephone enquiries and complaints hotline, 2626 1616 or visit the department's website, www.bd.gov.hk.
The Buildings Department's new opening hours, with effect from July 1, are as follows:
Services New opening hours
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Receipt and
Despatch Counter Monday to Friday
8.30am - 5.15 pm
Saturdays, Sundays
and general holidays
Closed
Building
Information Centre Monday to Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturdays, Sundays
and general holidays
Closed
Other services Monday to Thursday
8.30am - 5.30pm
Friday
8.30am - 6.00pm
Saturdays, Sundays
and general holidays
Closed
Ends/Thursday, June 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:51
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