Many public transport services were rendered inoperable, including most bus routes and much of the overground rail network, which was smothered with fallen trees and debris.

Commuters were left confused and angry as they tried to reach work, and Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor came under fire for refusing to declare a holiday under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance. Instead she ordered a review of post-storm arrangements.

Releasing the results of that review at the legislature on Tuesday, officials said they would set up a steering committee chaired by Hong Kong’s chief secretary to oversee the city’s preparedness, response and recovery stages for super typhoons and other natural disasters.

The Labour Department’s code of practice for typhoons and rainstorms had also been reviewed and employers asked to exercise greater flexibility in resuming work after storms, the government said.

“Under certain extreme conditions such as large-scale power outages, extensive flooding, major landslides and the unavailability of public transport services, employees should be advised to stay in their places for another two hours, instead of heading for work or going out immediately after the cancellation of a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No 8,” a paper submitted to the Legislative Council said.

The steering committee would make a call on whether to implement the two-hour grace period when a storm hit, the paper added.

Labour Party lawmaker Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung welcomed the changes but also called them half baked.

“It’s a good idea, but proposing such an amendment ... without legalising it will only cause more conflict between stakeholders,” Cheung said.

“Employers are going to want to get their business back on track as soon as possible after a typhoon, but since the arrangement is only recommended, it’s very likely supervisors will urge employees to head back to work right away anyway.”

Cheung said if employees showed up two hours later, they might be considered tardy or even face disciplinary action.

Liberal Party leader Felix Chung Kwok-pan was more satisfied.

“To set it as law may seem too rigid. I think setting it as a recommendation will allow more flexibility for both parties to decide what best suits them,” the business sector lawmaker said.

But he admitted not all employers would follow the guidelines.

“It’s inevitable that some will require their employees to come into work straight away, but it’s not right to assume that because it’s not written as a regulation, employers will abuse their powers,” he added.

Many bosses were reasonable and would understand if their staff got delayed in the aftermath of extreme weather conditions, Chung said.

Legco’s security panel will discuss the proposals next Tuesday.