Government central coordinating centre to monitor rollover situation

February 24, 2000

The Government will activate the Y2K Central Coordinating Centre (CCC) to monitor the territory-wide situation during the rollover to February 29, which is a Y2K critical date.

Deputy Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mrs Jessie Ting, who is also the controller of the CCC, said today (Thursday) the Government would adopt the same territory-wide coordinating and emergency response mechanism as the rollover to January 1, 2000.

"The CCC will be activated from the evening on February 28," Mrs Ting said. "It will closely monitor the rollover situation in the territory and will, if necessary, coordinate responses to any unforeseen Y2K induced incidents with cross-sector implications."

The centre will be manned by officers from the concerned bureaux and departments, including the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Information Technology Services Department, the Office of the Telecommunications Authority and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.

To coincide with the activation of the CCC, the 13 sector-wide coordinating centres covering various essential services will also come into operation. They cover aviation, border control, broadcasting, energy supply, environment, fire and emergency services, financial services, food supply, port management, public health, public order, telecommunications and transport.

These sector-wide centres are responsible for coordinating emergency responses to Y2K-induced incidents within their respective sectors. They will also maintain close contact with the CCC and report to it on a regular basis.

Mrs Ting noted that both the Government and the essential service providers had made comprehensive preparations to ensure a smooth rollover to Y2K critical dates.

"The public have reacted sensibly to the challenge posed by the Y2K problem during the rollover to January 1. I appeal to the public to adopt the same attitude for the upcoming rollover to February 29," she said.

Mrs Ting also urged businesses to make necessary preparations to ensure a smooth rollover to February 29. Businesses may contact the 24-hour hotline (2788 6060) operated by the Hong Kong Productivity Council for assistance on Y2K-related matters.

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