In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the Environment Bureau today (May 19) announced that public facilities under the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will reopen from May 21 (Thursday) by adopting a series of social distancing and precautionary measures in a prudent and gradual manner while remaining vigilant over the pandemic situation.

Environmental Protection Department
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     Facilities at restored landfills, including Tseung Kwan O Restored Landfill - Football Training Centre, Gin Drinkers Bay Restored Landfill - BMX Park and Cricket Hong Kong Centre, will remain temporarily closed until further notice.

     EPD facilities to reopen on May 21 include:

* EcoPark visitor centre
* T•PARK visitor centre
* WEEE•PARK visitor centre
* Environmental Resource Centres (namely Fanling Environmental Resource Centre, Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre and Mobile Environmental Resource Centre)

     The guided tours of the above facilities will resume upon the reopening of the facilities but the number of persons on the tours will be limited prudently to achieve social distancing. Members of the public can make advance bookings online for the guided tours and the facilities/services. Please refer to the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk) for details.

     The T•SPA inside T•PARK is undergoing annual maintenance while Wan Chai Environmental Resource Centre is carrying out renovation works. The two facilities will remain temporarily closed until further notice.

     In addition, all Community Green Stations will resume visitor and education programmes from May 21. The number of enrolment will be limited prudently to achieve social distancing.

     The EPD reminded venue users that a series of precautionary measures will be adopted at the facilities, including limiting the total number of visitors and tour guides to the number of persons allowed in a group gathering under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G). Body temperature screenings will be provided for all people entering the facilities, and visitors are advised to wear their own masks. The venues will also step up cleaning work and closely monitor the latest developments of the pandemic. Immediate actions will be taken as and when necessary.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
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     The school and public programmes of the AFCD's public facilities that have reopened on May 4, including the Hong Kong Wetland Park (except some indoor facilities and play areas), eight Country Park Visitor/Education Centres, seven Hong Kong Geopark Park Visitor Centres and the Endangered Species Resource Centre, will remain temporarily suspended until further notice.

     Meanwhile, country park barbecue sites and campsites under the management of the AFCD will reopen on May 21 (except for the Lead Mine Pass Campsite which is undergoing maintenance). Details of these sites are available on the AFCD's website (www.afcd.gov.hk). For the latest updates on the facilities in the country parks, members of the public can also visit the "Enjoy Hiking" website (www.hiking.gov.hk) of the AFCD.

     The AFCD appeals to country park users to comply with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) on prohibiting group gatherings of more than the number of people stipulated in the law. Visitors are reminded to maintain personal and environmental hygiene, appropriate social distancing, and should properly dispose of used masks and waste.

Ends/Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:03

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