HONG KONG, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong Observatory issued the cold weather warning for the ninth consecutive day on Monday, as the minimum temperature in Hong Kong's urban areas remained below 10 degrees Celsius for over a week.

Hong Kong Observatory issued the Cold Weather Warning on early Monday morning, forecasting that "cold weather is expected in Hong Kong in the next few days" and advising people to "put on warm clothes" and "avoid prolonged exposure to wintry winds."

According to weather report updated by Hong Kong Observatory at noon on Monday, the minimum temperature in urban areas was 8 degrees Celsius.

On Sunday, which marked this year's Beginning of Spring in Chinese 24 Solar terms, the minimum temperature in Hong Kong was 9 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest Beginning of Spring in over 10 years.

With the cold weather warning constantly in force, the Center for Health Protection (CHP) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government repeatedly reminded the public, particularly the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health from diseases that might be triggered or exacerbated by the cold weather.

"Elderly people have less insulating fat beneath their skin to keep them warm and their body temperature control mechanism may be weaker. Their body may not be able to appropriately respond to the cold weather," a spokesman of the CHP said.

The HKSAR government's Labor Department also reminded employers that they should take appropriate precautions especially for employees who have to work outdoors or in remote areas.

In view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department has opened 17 temporary shelters for people in need of the service.

A staff member surnamed Wong at one of the temporary shelters told Xinhua that the shelter provides the users with mattresses, quilt, hot water and food such as instant noodles.

"We provide two hot meals everyday, lunch and dinner, and we will also offer them warm clothes if needed," Wong said, adding that the staff have been working on three shifts during the past week to ensure the shelters are open 24 hours.

A spokesman of the Home Affairs Department told Xinhua the temporary shelters have been open since Jan. 28 when the cold weather warning was first issued, and the users totaled over 500 each night.

Hong Kong Observatory forecasts that cold and dry weather will persist until Thursday morning, with daytime temperatures rising in the latter part of this week.