Throngs rush to get things done as civil servants return to offices

People rushed to government service centers as most civil servants returned to their offices yesterday after three months of working at home amid the pandemic.

Dozens could be seen queueing even before the licensing office of the Transport Department in Admiralty opened at 9am, though many left empty-handed.

The licensing office is accepting only scheduled applications even though most Transport Department offices have reopened.

A bus driver surnamed Tsang, whose license will expire in July, traveled from his home in Yuen Long to the office in Cheung Sha Wan.

"I thought the licensing service had fully resumed so I came here to renew my license," Tsang said.

"But I did not bring a check and a return envelope, so I cannot schedule my application. I have to come again after their service resumes fully."

Another surnamed Ma said he needs a new license plate. "I need a new license plate to make my vehicle road-legal again," Ma said.

As a scheduled application might take weeks or even months, he said he does not have the time to schedule his application.

Large crowds also queued outside the Immigration Tower in Wan Chai.

The Immigration Department allowed a small amount of walk-in quotas for most of its services yesterday morning, while its smart identity card replacement centers were available for card collection and scheduled applications.

Immigration officers came outside the building to provide assistance and maintain order in the queue.

Road tests for driving assessments resumed, but some candidates were miffed over the belated announcement.

A woman named Ko said she was scheduled to take the road tests yesterday before the Covid-19 outbreak but the Transport Department notified her in February that her test was postponed.

"But the department only notified me again last Wednesday that I will take my road test as scheduled, which disrupted my plans," Ko said.

"If the Transport Department could notify us a bit earlier, I believe it would be easier for driving instructors and candidates to make appointments for extra lessons before their actual assessment."

At the Central Government Offices at Tamar, the body temperature of those entering buildings was checked. Sanitizing carpets and alcohol hand gels were also in place.

"This is the right time to return to our offices and resume work, as there are no local infections recently," said a Development Bureau staff member surnamed Wong. "I was worried in the earlier stages of the outbreak, but I am less stressed right now."

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen said the return of civil servants to their offices went smoothly, but he reminded them to remain alert.

"There is appropriate personal protection equipment in every office," he said. "Everyone should be on high alert. I suggest narrowing down the number of meeting participants or use video conferences instead."

About 4,800 government employees, representing 3 percent of the total number of civil servants, will continue to work from home full time.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com