**********************************************
People visiting cemeteries and columbaria to pay respects to ancestors during the coming Ching Ming Festival are urged to keep the environment clean and dispose of used containers properly to prevent mosquito breeding.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) 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," an FEHD spokesman said today (March 15).
"We will also deploy more staff to remove rubbish, empty bottles and containers, while providing additional litter bins and toilet facilities."
To prevent mosquito breeding, the spokesman reminded grave-sweepers to clear stagnant water and rubbish before leaving the cemeteries.
They should not leave behind any containers such as vases, lunch boxes, drink cans, plastic bags and buckets for burning incense.
"As a precaution against mosquitoes, grave-sweepers are advised to wear long-sleeved tops 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 have also been advised to take similar anti-mosquito precautions.
To protect the environment and to avoid hill fires, the spokesman encouraged members of the public to use flowers to replace incense burning to pay tribute and respect to their ancestors.
In addition, the spokesman also urged grave-sweepers to take extra care when burning incense. Incense burning should only be carried out inside a designated joss paper furnace or iron bucket. People should make sure that all fires have gone out before leaving, he said.
Officers from the department will step up patrols at public cemeteries and columbaria during the period.
In the event of a hill fire, grave-sweepers should remain calm and immediately notify the officers on-site.
The spokesman also appealed to grave-sweepers to make maximum use of public transport during the Ching Ming Festival. Access to Cape Collinson Crematorium, Diamond Hill Crematorium, Kwai Chung Crematorium, Fu Shan Crematorium, Wo Hop Shek Crematorium and Wo Hop Shek Cemetery will be closed to all vehicles, except those with special permission.
For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements in the vicinity of cemeteries and crematoria during the Ching Ming Festival, please visit the Transport Department website (www.td.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, March 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 14:31
NNNN
