Phase one of the Government five-day week will start tomorrow (July 3), with participating departments extending their weekday work hours but closing on Saturdays.

The work hours of all policy bureaus at the headquarters will be standardised to run from 8.45am to 6pm on weekdays.

The Transport Department and the  Inland Revenue Department will close all public counters on Saturdays; while the Labour Department, the Social Welfare Department and the Food & Environmental Department are partially switching to a five-day week.

As only some offices are switching to the new work week the bureau advises the public to check with the 24-hour Citizen's Easy Link 1823 or this website before visiting Government offices on Saturdays.

A publicity drive has been launched to enhance awareness of the new civil service work hours, and enhanced alternative means of service delivery or transactions have been put in place, including electronic and Internet services, telephone bookings and drop-in boxes.