Adverse weather is now affecting Hong Kong, all schools to be suspended on 11 July 2025

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The Labour Department has reminded employers to make prior work arrangements for employees during and after rainstorm warnings as early as possible.

Affected by the heavy rain and squally thunderstorms brought by the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Danas and the active southwest monsoon, the weather conditions in Hong Kong are expected to remain severe.

The Education Bureau has therefore announced that all schools, including primary and secondary schools, kindergartens and special schools, will be suspended tomorrow (11 July 2025).

The Labour Department (LD) has reminded employers to make prior work arrangements for employees during and after rainstorm warnings as early as possible, and be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorms.

The LD has shared guidelines for employers that include:

• Employers should make prior work arrangements and contingency measures for staff which are reasonably practicable.
• Make flexible arrangements for staff to resume work or work remotely (if applicable).
• For employees who are not able to report for duty or resume duty on time due to adverse weather or extreme conditions, employers should neither deduct their wages, good attendance bonus or allowances, nor reduce employees' entitlement to annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days under the Employment Ordinance, or ask for additional hours of work from employees to compensate for the loss of working hours when they are unable to report for duty.
• Employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (such as electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms.
• Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by a rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent an electric shock as the air would be more humid.
• If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

The Hong Kong Observatory reminded that further heavy rain could cause serious road flooding and traffic congestion. People who have to travel should carefully consider the weather and road conditions and take necessary precautions. They should also stay away from dangerous places such as rivers and slopes.

Members of the public are advised to seek safe shelter if staying outdoors under the thunderstorm warning, stop all outdoor water sports, do not stand on high ground, and keep away from highly conductive objects, trees or masts.

People should continue to remain vigilant and pay attention to the latest news released by the government.