After a four-year hiatus, the 2024 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display will be held at 8pm on February 11, the second day of the Lunar New Year, over Victoria Harbour to celebrate the festive season with citizens.
 
     The fireworks display is co-ordinated by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, sponsored by the Hong Kong Celebrations Association and supported by the Hong Kong Youth Patriotic Education Foundation.
 
     The theme for this year's fireworks display is "All trades thrive in the Dragon's Year, China stands strong in the prosperous era". A total of 23 888 pyrotechnic shells will be fired from three barges in the 23-minute extravaganza divided into eight scenes.
 
     Each of the eight scenes of fireworks has its own characteristics. The opening scene, entitled "The Year of the Dragon", will start off with a magnificent showcase of silver lightning and thunder to usher in the New Year. The second scene features the lucky number "8" in different forms and colours that symbolise wealth and abundance. "Five-coloured Cosmic Balls", introduced for the first time, signify the boundless sky and earth, wishing citizens a bright future with endless possibilities. In the sixth scene, fireworks of "Smiling Faces" and "Double Red Hearts" will be launched in the hope that citizens will find beauty in life with a positive, enthusiastic attitude. The final scene "Harvest Drums" will bring the event to its climax as fireworks of "Mega-sized Brocade Crowns" will be discharged intensively to wish Hong Kong prosperity and peace in the year to come.
 
     The display can be seen from many vantage points on both sides of the harbour including Tsim Sha Tsui, Mid-Levels, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Hung Hom Bypass. Members of the public are advised to note that some parts of the green lawns, passageways and viewing platforms of Tamar Park and the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section) have been temporarily closed in preparation for the large-scale outdoor art installation exhibition "teamLab: Continuous" to be launched in March. They may consider proceeding to other places as far as practicable to avoid overcrowding or not being able to enter the venue due to limited space.

     To maximise enjoyment of the fireworks display, viewers are advised to tune in to Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 4 (FM 97.6 to 98.9) via mobile phones or other devices for synchronised music during the show.
 
     Members of the public are urged to keep the environment clean, show respect for public property, and pay attention to personal safety in crowded places.

        

     â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 7) that in view of a notification from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Kagawa Prefecture in Japan, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 1 990 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 281.33 million poultry eggs from Japan last year.

     "The CFS has contacted the Japanese authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (February 7) announced that the department tested 58 water samples collected from cooling towers in 41 buildings in its routine inspections in January 2024. None of them were detected to have a total legionella count at or above the upper threshold, which is 1 000 colony-forming units per millilitre. The latest statistics are set out in Annex 1.

     The EMSD also announced the locations of buildings which were served with nuisance notices during the preceding three-month period as the total legionella count was found in the fresh water cooling towers to be equal to or above the upper threshold. Details can be found in Annex 2.

     The EMSD publishes the latest statistics of the above information on a half-monthly basis on its website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/other_regulatory_services/cooling_towers/water_sampling/index.html).

     The EMSD reminds the owners of fresh water cooling towers that they have the responsibility to design, operate and maintain cooling towers properly. They should arrange regular inspections, timely maintenance and periodic testing of the water quality in their cooling towers in accordance with the Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers issued by the department to prevent the proliferation of legionella.

     â€‹â€‹The Transport Department (TD) today (February 7) reminded all road users to observe road safety during the Lunar New Year holidays.
           
     "Motorists must not drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs, so as to avoid contravening the law. Drink driving and drug driving will not only endanger motorists themselves, but also other road users. Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs will significantly impair driving ability. After drinking alcohol or taking drugs, one should use public transport services or arrange someone else to drive," a TD spokesman said.
 
     "Moreover, motorists must not participate in illegal road racing and speeding. Motorists should always maintain a steady and suitable speed and keep sufficient distance with the vehicle in front."
      
     The spokesman also appealed to motorists not to park their vehicles illegally. They should park in a parking place or a car park so as to maintain smooth road traffic. This can avoid causing traffic jams, affecting public transport operation, blocking passage of emergency vehicles, and obstructing the sight lines of pedestrians and other road users which may otherwise cause traffic accidents. For motorists who commit traffic offences and cause traffic obstruction, the Police will issue warnings or summonses, or even tow away the vehicles concerned.
      
     When cycling, members of the public are advised to cycle within their abilities and observe road safety, wear suitable helmets and personal protective equipment as well as properly check their bicycles. They should always be attentive, patient and law-abiding when cycling. Pedestrians must also follow the traffic rules when crossing a road. Before crossing the road, they must wait until the steady "Green man" light shows and all traffic has stopped.
      
     The spokesman emphasised that road safety hinges on the co-operation of every road user, and appealed to the public to exercise self-discipline and comply with traffic rules.

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (February 7). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Traffic along eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.