HONG KONG, October 7. /TASS/. The numbers of protesters in Hong Kong demanding free elections have been dwindling as they are prepared for formal talks with the government.

With the rallies entering eleventh day on Tuesday, the number of demonstrators fell into some 500 in the protest zones in three separate districts from a peak of around 200,000.

Primary schools and kindergartens have reopened in downtown Hong Kong after a week-long break. On Monday, studies resumed in secondary schools located in the center of China’s special administrative region.

Half of the protesters, mainly students, are attending a sit-in protest on Gloucester Road, near the government offices. Several dozen demonstrators are blocking traffic in Causeway Bay, a popular shopping area.

More than 100 demonstrators continue disrupting traffic at the most important crossroads at Mong Kok, a heavily populated area on the western part of Kowloon Peninsula.

Over the past days, Mong Kok has been the scene of fierce clashes between supporters and opponents of the Occupy Central, a civil disobedience movement which began in Hong Kong in late September.

Late on Monday, Hong Kong’s chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, called on the activists to leave the “dangerous area” to prevent further outbreaks of violence, making clear that police are ready to take steps to disperse the crowd.

Demonstrators hope to start formal talks before October 12.

During mass demonstrations, protesters, mainly Hong Kong residents and students, have been blocking traffic on the main roads in the city. A total of 165 people involved in mass protests have been injured.

The movement has been labeled "the Umbrella Revolution" for the umbrellas that many people are holding to protect themselves from pepper spray and tear gas as well as to cope with oppressive heat.