Smooth operation on first day reopening of LCSD venues

     A spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (April 21) said that, in view of the first phase of relaxation of social distancing measures announced by the Government, some leisure and cultural venues were reopened today and the first-day operation was smooth. All persons entering sports premises and other indoor venues under the management of the LCSD complied with the requirement of the Vaccine Pass.

     In response to media enquiries about touting activities, the spokesman said the LCSD has all along attached great importance to the condition of unauthorised transfer of the booked sessions and touting, and has introduced various measures to combat touting activities. Under these measures, hirers must produce valid permits or approval letters together with their identity documents for verification and registration before using the facilities. If the identity document provided by the hirer is inconsistent with the department's booking record or any irregularities are identified, his/her right to use the facility will be rejected by the LCSD immediately. If a hirer is found to have engaged in unauthorised transfer of user permit, his/her booking right for use of facilities will be suspended for a period of 180 days by the LCSD. Upon receipt of any complaints about touting activities, the LCSD will conduct investigation and follow-up.

     To further combat touting activities, starting from May 1, the LCSD will implement a new measure targeting those who are suspected to engage in touting activities by unauthorised transfer of use of venue. In accordance with the provisions of the Conditions of Use of LCSD Recreation and Sports Facilities, the hirer must be present during the use of the booked sessions. Random inspections will be conducted during the booked sessions. If the hirer is not present during the use of the facilities, it will result in one count of breach of Conditions of Use by the hirer. Any two counts of breach within 30 consecutive days will result in suspension of the relevant person's rights to book any of the LCSD's fee-charging recreation and sports facilities starting from the third day subsequent to his/her second breach for 90 days.

     Meanwhile, the spokesman for the LCSD said with the easing of the epidemic situation, it is expected that some of the sports centres currently used for anti-epidemic purposes will be returned to the LCSD for public use next month. This will help alleviate the present situation.