The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (September 15) appealed 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; and they should not fly sky lanterns as it might cause injuries or damage to property," 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 on September 21 and 22. 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 two 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 Group 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.
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