Most businesses close and public transport becomes limited when No. 8 signal or above is in place. The city is already facing its toughest social distancing restrictions so far due to a flare up of coronavirus cases, with restaurants forced to close at 6 p.m., public gatherings of more than two people banned and school lessons taking place online.
Hong Kong was hit by its strongest typhoon this year, threatening to cancel morning trading in the city’s US$5.8 trillion ($7.91 trillion) local stock market, shutting many businesses and disrupting public transportation.
The Hong Kong Observatory lowered its storm signal to No. 8, the third-highest on its scale, from 9 at 7:40 a.m. local time, saying winds with mean speeds of 63 km (39 mph) per hour or more are expected. The signal will be lowered to No. 3 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., it said in a statement on its website.
