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People paying respects to their ancestors during the upcoming Ching Ming Festival are reminded to keep the environment clean and dispose of used containers properly to prevent mosquito breeding.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will provide special cleaning services at public cemeteries and columbaria during the festival period.
"Our staff will clear undergrowth, remove stagnant water in incense burners and containers, and level the ground surface to prevent accumulation of water," a spokesman for the department said.
"We will also deploy more staff to remove rubbish, empty bottles and containers, while providing extra litter bins and toilet facilities."
To prevent mosquito breeding, the spokesman said people should clear stagnant water and rubbish before leaving the cemeteries.
"They should not leave behind any containers such as vases, lunch boxes, plastic bags, buckets for burning incense and drink cans.
"As a precaution against mosquitoes, grave-sweepers are advised to wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers and apply insect repellent to exposed parts of their body," he said.
In addition to anti-mosquito announcements, notices and banners appealing for public co-operation will be displayed at public cemeteries and columbaria during the festival.
Managers of private cemeteries will also be advised to take similar anti-mosquito precautions.
The spokesman also urged grave-sweepers to take extra care when burning incense to avoid hill fires.
"Incense burning should only be carried out inside a container or iron bucket. People should put out all fires before leaving," he said.
Officers from the department and Civil Aid Service will step up patrols in public cemeteries and columbaria during the period.
Grave-sweepers should remain calm in the event of a hill fire and should immediately notify the officers on site.
The spokesman also reminded grave-sweepers to make full use of public transport during the Ching Ming Festival. Access to Diamond Hill Crematorium, Cape Collinson Crematorium and Wo Hop Shek Cemetery will be closed to all vehicles, except those with special permission.
As a large number of people are expected to pay tribute to their ancestors on Ching Ming Festival Day (April 5), burial services at Wo Hop Shek Cemetery and cremation services at Cape Collinson Crematorium and Diamond Hill Crematorium will be suspended on that day. Normal services will resume on April 6.
Ends/Monday, March 27, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:56
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