Hong Kong labour authorities have committed to reviewing the city’s heat stress warning system after the Hong Kong Observatory issued the lowest-level amber alert for outdoor workers despite record-breaking heat. On Sunday, the city recorded a scorching 36.9 degrees Celsius (98.4 Fahrenheit), the highest temperature since the Observatory began operations in 1884.
The decision to maintain the lowest-level alert prompted questions about the effectiveness of the current index. Experts have called on the government to adopt an international measurement that places greater emphasis on direct sunlight exposure and to increase the number of heat stress monitoring stations to cover all districts, better reflecting the risks faced by outdoor workers.
“We will review the current mechanism while maintaining our close communications with relevant departments,” said Undersecretary for Labour and Welfare Ho Kai-ming on Monday, August 10th, 2026. He added that the Labour Department has been collaborating with various departments, including the Observatory, to mitigate occupational safety risks for workers.
The Observatory forecast that the scorching conditions would persist in the coming days, with temperatures in some areas expected to reach at least 37 degrees Celsius, although more frequent showers are anticipated later in the week.
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