The Department of Entertainment and Cultural Services (LCSD) will extend opening hours, and make special arrangements in some places for the public, to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 13 and 14, Thursday (5/9/2019).
Through media broadcasts, LCSD also appealed to the public to maintain cleanliness in order to keep the festival location neat, and not to burn candles or fly lanterns into the sky, because it can trigger fires if the fire touches flammable objects and can injure people.
‘”In order to provide a better environment for the community to enjoy this lively event, we urge them not to burn or light candles. Use a metal can or non-flammable container to collect the melted wax for easy disposal in the trash once it cools. In addition, the public should also not throw light sticks or other objects at the trees, because doing so can cause damage to the trees and affect the cleanliness of the place,” said an LCSD spokesperson.
An LCSD spokesperson also said that increased patrols would be implemented at tourist spots, parks, public beaches and barbecues on September 13 and 14. There will be around 1,000 officers deployed to take action against people littering, burning candles, throwing objects at trees and making sure no one is flying lanterns on those two nights.
Members of the public can call the LCSD hotline on 2414 5555 to report any burning of candles or when they see lanterns being flown into the sky, or other irregularities found at the festival site.
LCSD added that during the festival, the public is also not allowed to take a bath or take any action that might harm or damage and pollute the beach area. Anyone who violates the warning and is found guilty will be subject to a maximum fine of HKD 2,000 and 14 days in prison.
Offenses such as littering will result in a fine and a fine of HKD 1,500, while those who burn candles, throw objects at trees or fly sky lanterns can be prosecuted and face trial.
The following is a list of festival locations whose visit times are extended:
- Kwun Tong District, Jordan Valley Park, from September 13th: open 5am to 1am (extended by two hours) and September 14th: 5am to 11:30pm (extended by half an hour).
- Sai Kung District, Hong Kong Velodrom Park, will have an artificial lake on September 13: 6:30am – 2:00am (extended by three hours), and September 14: 06:30 to 01:00 (extends by two hours).
- Hong Kong Park, Central and West District, with outdoor facilities, from 6am to midnight (extended by one hour).
- Aldrich Bay Park, East District, with a water feature and fisherman’s hut pavilion, from 6.30am to 11.30pm (extended by one hour).
- Ngau Chi Wan Park, Wong Tai Sin District, from 6.30am to midnight (extended one hour).
6. Tsing Yi Park, Kwai Tsing District, from 5.30am to midnight (extended by half an hour).
7. Tsing Yi Northeast Park, Kwai Tsing District from 5.30am to midnight (extended by half an hour).
- North District Park, from 6am to midnight (extended one hour).
Meanwhile for September 14, the day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Victoria Park’s Central Lawn will be temporarily closed from 2 to 5 for cleaning.
