Adverse Weather Class Arrangement

Adverse Weather Class Arrangement
This guideline sets out the arrangements in times of typhoons¹, “Extreme Conditions” and rainstorms for students in Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI),(hereunder called "campuses").

Typhoons/ “Extreme Conditions”
When typhoons and “Extreme Conditions” affect Hong Kong, the following arrangements will apply:

Typhoon Signal/ “Extreme Conditions”	Action to be taken
No. 1	To operate as normal
No. 3	To operate as normal
(a) Issued or in force at 6:15 a.m. or thereafter
(b) Issued when classes or examinations* are in session
Pre-No.8 Special Announcement² / Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above / “Extreme Conditions” Announcement
(a) Issued or in force at 6:15 a.m. or before 11:00 a.m.	Morning Session(classes and examinations* scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) to close
(b) Issued or in force at 11:00 a.m. or before 4:00 p.m.	Afternoon Session(classes and examinations* scheduled between 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.) to close
(c) Issued or in force at 4:00 p.m. or thereafter	Evening Session(classes and examinations* that start at or after 6:30 p.m.) to close
(d) Issued when classes or examinations* are in session	All classes or examinations* will be immediately suspended for the session.
(e) Issued before start of examinations*	Examinations* to be held in that particular session should be postponed.
Lowering to No. 3 or below or lowering all signals or cancellation of “Extreme Conditions”,at any time	All classes or examinations* to resume with the next session unless road or other conditions remain adverse.

* Examinations refer to internal examinations of MSTI

1. "Typhoons" also refers to "Tropical Cyclones".
2. Where possible, the Hong Kong Observatory will issue an early alert (i.e. a "Pre-No. 8 Special Announcement") two hours prior to the hoisting of the No. 8 Typhoon Warning Signal.

Rainstorms

When a rainstorm signal is issued, the following arrangements will apply:

Rainstorm Warning Signal	Action to be taken
AMBER	To operate as normal
RED/BLACK
(a) Issued or in force at 6:15 a.m. or before 11:00 a.m.	Morning Session(classes and examinations* scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) to close
(b) Issued or in force at 11:00 a.m. or before 4:00 p.m.	Afternoon Session(classes and examinations* scheduled between 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.) to close
(c) Issued or in force at 4:00 p.m. or thereafter	Evening Session(classes and examinations* that start at or after 6:30 p.m.) to close
(d) Issued when classes or examinations* are in session	All classes or examinations* should continue (except those taking place outdoors) until the end of the session, and if it is the end of the school day and RED/BLACK signal is still in force, students/trainees should be advised to return home or boarding home (for disabled trainees) only when conditions are safe. Remarks: If students/trainees are not yet in the campus/centre premises due to differences in class timetables, they should stay home or take shelters in a safe place. For classes and examinations* conducted outdoors, the responsible staff on the spot will suspend the activities immediately and ensure that all students/trainees are taken shelters in a safe place.
(e) Issued before start of examinations*	Examinations* to be held in that particular session should be postponed.
Lowering to AMBER or all signals at any time	All classes or examinations* to resume with the next session unless road or other conditions remain adverse.

* Examinations refer to internal examinations of MSTI

VTC´s Public Announcement of Closure of Campuses/Centres, Postponement and Resumption of Classes/Examinations

In times of typhoons, “Extreme Conditions” and rainstorms, students are requested to follow the arrangements outlined in the “Campus Operations during Adverse Weather Conditions” section of the Student Handbook or refer to the table provided above on the VTC website.

When classes/examinations resume following the lowering of typhoon signals/ rainstorm warnings/ cancellation of “Extreme Conditions”, students or their parents may exercise discretion in deciding whether or not to return to or send their children to the campus/centre after taking into consideration the local weather, road, slope, traffic or transport conditions at that time. Students, in particular those living in remote areas, will not be penalised for being late under these circumstances.

Vocational Training Council

September 2023