The Government's adoption of a five-day week got off to a smooth start  today, the Civil Service Bureau says.

The authorities monitored developments this morning. A number of residents did turn up at some departments' closed offices.

Government staff stationed on-site provided assistance, responding to their enquiries, handing out application forms and taking note of requests that required follow-up action on Monday.

The Administration will offer assistance to the public in the coming weeks where necessary, the bureau said, adding people  need some time to adjust to the new work pattern.

Many Gov't offices remain open

Many Government offices remain open, as emergency and essential services are not affected by the new work pattern, and people in need of assistance will still be able to get help.

For instance, the opening hours of all post office counters, and all Immigration Department service counters - for registration of births, deaths and marriages, registration and replacement of identity cards, visa and travel document applications - remain unchanged. Mail delivery also continues on Saturdays.

Most Social Welfare Department services are also maintained on Saturdays. Examples include the departmental hotline service, integrated family service centres and social security field units.

Meanwhile, the Labour Department's 10 job centres, occupational health clinics and occupational medicine units for sick leave clearance operate on Saturdays; and the department's enquiry hotline continues its round-the-clock service.

The Emergency Transport Coordination Centre continues to monitor public transport services and traffic conditions round the clock.

Check before visiting Gov't offices

As departments' work schedules may vary, people are advised to check with the 24-hour Citizen's Easy Link 1823 or to look up the dedicated website before visiting Government offices.

It is not necessary to see to some services in person following the move to a five-day week pattern, the bureau said, adding people can obtain many services by other means, such as by mail, facsimile, e-service or drop-in boxes, saving time in traveling to government offices and queuing up in front of service counters.

Departments which close their service counters on Saturdays will keep them open longer from Monday to Friday.

Among offices which have extended their working hours are the licensing offices of the Transport Department, which now operate from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.

The Home Affairs Department's Public Enquiry Service Centres - except Cheung Chau and Mui Wo - now stay open from 9am until 7pm on weekdays, and the Inland Revenue Department's Central Enquiry Counter opens from 8.15am to 5.30pm.