The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will extend opening hours and make special arrangements at some of its venues for the public to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. Details are as follows:
 
September 10 and 11 (Mid-Autumn Festival and the day following Mid-Autumn Festival)
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Central Lawn of Victoria Park (Wan Chai District)
Temporarily closed from 2am to 5am for cleaning operations
 
Jordan Valley Park (Kwun Tong District)
September 10: 5am to 1am on the following day (extended by two hours)
September 11: 5am to 11.30pm (extended by half an hour)
 
September 10 (Mid-Autumn Festival)
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Aldrich Bay Park (Eastern District)
– Water Feature and Fisherman Hut Pavilion
6.30am to 11pm (extended by half an hour)
 
Ngau Chi Wan Park (Wong Tai Sin District)
6.30am to midnight (extended by one hour)
 
     The LCSD appeals to the public to keep places clean and tidy, observe regulations on the prohibition of group gatherings at its venues, and to not burn wax or fly sky lanterns when celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.
     
     "To provide a better environment for members of the public to enjoy the festive occasion, we appeal to them not to burn or melt wax. They should not sprinkle or pour liquids onto hot wax. Metal cans or non-flammable containers should be used to collect melted wax for easy disposal into litter bins after the containers cool down. Moreover, they should not throw glow sticks or other objects onto trees, as doing so may cause damage to the trees and affect the cleanliness of venues. They should not fly sky lanterns as it might cause injuries or damage to property and facilities," a spokesman for the LCSD said.
     
     The LCSD appealed to members of the public to comply with the regulations on the prohibition of group gatherings of more than the number of people as stipulated by the law, and observe the mask-wearing requirement in public places at the department's venues during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday in order to reduce the chances of spreading the virus in the community.
     
     The spokesman said patrols will be stepped up at the department's venues including parks and public beaches from September 9 to 11. Staff will be deployed to appeal to venue users to comply with regulations on the prohibition of group gatherings, and wearing of masks. Enforcement action against any irregularities, littering, wax burning, throwing objects onto trees and flying sky lanterns will be taken on these three nights.
 
     Members of the public may call the LCSD's hotline on 2414 5555 to report any wax burning or flying sky lantern cases, or other irregularities found at LCSD venues.
     
     According to the Pleasure Grounds Regulation, no person shall, in any pleasure ground, melt or burn any wax, sprinkle or pour any liquid onto any hot wax, damage any part of any tree, shrub or plant, or fly kites, model aircraft, balloons or other devices (including sky lanterns). According to the Bathing Beaches Regulation, no person shall, on any bathing beach, do any act which is likely to endanger or obstruct any other person using the beach, or damage, deface or pollute the beach or anything situated thereon. Any person who is convicted is liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and 14 days' imprisonment.
     
     Littering offenders will be issued with a fixed penalty notice with a fine of $1,500, while those who burn wax, throw objects onto trees or fly sky lanterns might be prosecuted.
     
     According to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G), the number of persons currently allowed in group gatherings in public places is four. In addition, pursuant to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I), a person must wear a mask at all times when the person is entering or present in a public place.

     â€‹The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSARG) held an official ceremony today (September 3) at Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden to commemorate the Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
 
     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and senior government officials attended the ceremony this morning. It included the playing and singing of the national anthem, flag raising, Rifle Volley by the Police Rifle Squad, silence in mourning and bowing in tribute.
 
     Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, representatives of Central People's Government organisations in Hong Kong, the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, former Chief Executives of the HKSAR, members of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council, representatives from war veteran groups, representatives of Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress, representatives of Hong Kong members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, representatives of Heung Yee Kuk, representatives from uniformed groups, etc., were also present at the ceremony.
 
     In 2014, the National People's Congress designated September 3 as the Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in remembrance of the resistance of Chinese people against Japanese aggression and to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the conflict. Since then, the HKSARG has also hosted official commemorative activities in Hong Kong correspondingly.

    

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 3) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 3) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "Children, the elderly, the obese and those with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:
 
     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force, they should assess the risk of heat stroke to their employees and adopt effective preventive measures such as providing cool drinking water, setting up temporary sunshade, providing mechanical aids to reduce physical exertion of employees and providing for employees as far as practicable covered space with good ventilation for rest and meals. Employees should drink water regularly and be mindful of their physical condition. If early heat stroke symptoms such as headache and thirst appear, they should rest in a cool or shady place and drink water immediately. They should also inform their supervisors to take appropriate action.