The Hong Kong Observatory said it will downgrade the T8 signal sometime between 9 and 11am on Thursday as Severe Tropical Storm Ma-On starts moving away from Hong Kong after coming within 200 kilometres of the territory earlier.

The observatory said as the system moves towards western Guangdong, winds here will weaken gradually, though there will still be occasional gale-force winds offshore and on high ground over the southwestern part of Hong Kong at first.

Forecasters are also warning that a combination of the usual high tide and a storm surge may cause flooding in low-lying areas later on in the morning.

While all AM and whole-day schools have been suspended, authorities say if the no. 8 signal is downgraded before 10.30am, PM classes for primary and secondary schools, as well as evening schools, will be held as usual.

And while all child care and elderly services centres, as well as those providing after school care programmes are closed for now, they will resume normal operation two hours after the lowering of the T8 signal, if conditions permit.

All court and tribunal hearings are cancelled for the morning, and various government services are also affected.

Covid-19 vaccination centres are also closed during the T8 signal, with Community Vaccination Centres and vaccination stations at hospitals to reopen three hours after it’s lowered.

People who have booked their first or second jabs can head to their selected vaccination centre after they open.

Hong Kong remained relatively unscathed overnight despite the passage of Ma-On, with authorities reporting one lone report of a fallen tree as of 2am, a single flooding case, and no landslides.

The Hospital Authority, meanwhile, reported that as of 1.30am, one person was injured during the storm’s passage and sought treatment at a public hospital.