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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (December 30) appealed to the public to keep places clean and mind their safety while celebrating New Year's Eve.
In conjunction with other government departments, the LCSD will implement measures tomorrow, New Year's Eve, to maintain cleanliness and safety in LCSD venues, especially in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Piazza, UC Centenary Garden, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Avenue of Stars (AOS), Middle Road Children's Playground, Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden, West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade, Sha Tin Park, and Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza and Podium, where large crowds, with many participating in the countdown, are expected.
"Together with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the police, we will step up patrols at our venues in the Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin Park and Sha Tin Town Hall areas and take action against littering, illegal hawking and vandalism of public property," an LCSD spokesman said.
"People are urged to keep places clean and tidy while celebrating New Year's Eve. Snow spraying or defacing public property are prohibited at all venues. People should take away all their belongings when they leave and not to leave trash behind. Those who litter will be liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500."
"People staying in crowded areas should remain calm and mind their safety. To help pedestrian flow, all removable items in the seafront areas will be taken away," he said.
Anti-littering and crowd management messages in Cantonese, Putonghua and English will be broadcast regularly through public announcement systems at the HKCC Piazza, AOS, Sha Tin Park, Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza and Podium.
The Clock Tower and its clock at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre will remain closed due to renovations.
Ends/Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:11
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