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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has reminded people paying respects to their ancestors during the Chung Yeung Festival period to keep the environment clean and dispose of used containers properly to prevent mosquito breeding.
A department spokesman said today (October 6) that the department would provide special cleaning services at public cemeteries and columbaria during the festival period.
Staff will be deployed to clear undergrowth and remove stagnant water in empty containers and incense burners to prevent accumulation of water.
The department will also deploy more manpower to remove rubbish in the cemeteries and columbaria. More litter bins and toilet facilities will be provided, too.
"Public support and co-operation are essential. Before leaving, grave sweepers should clear stagnant water and rubbish. They should not leave behind any containers such as vases, lunch boxes and buckets for burning incense, etc, to prevent accumulating stagnant water for mosquito breeding," the spokesman said.
In addition to on-site broadcasts, notices and banners appealing for public co-operation in preventing mosquito breeding would be displayed at public cemeteries and columbaria during the festival.
Managers of private cemeteries have also been advised to take similar anti-mosquito measures.
"As a precaution against mosquitoes, grave sweepers should wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers and apply repellent to exposed skin and/or clothing," the spokesman said.
He also urged grave sweepers to take extra care when burning incense to prevent hillfires.
"Burning should only be done inside an incense burner or iron bucket and grave sweepers should put out all fires before leaving," he said.
The spokesman also advised grave sweepers to make full use of public transport during the festival period and pay attention to road closures in the vicinity of public cemeteries and columbaria. Access to Cape Collinson Crematorium, Diamond Hill Crematorium, Fu Shan Crematorium, Kwai Chung Crematorium and Wo Hop Shek Cemetery will be closed to all vehicles on Chung Yeung Festival Day (October 16), except those with special permission.
¡@¡@As a large number of people are expected to pay tribute to their ancestors on the Festival Day, burial services at Wo Hop Shek Cemetery will be suspended. Except Wo Hop Shek Crematorium which has ceased operation since June 2009 due to re-provisioning works, cremation services at Cape Collinson Crematorium, Diamond Hill Crematorium, Fu Shan Crematorium and Kwai Chung Crematorium will also be suspended that day. Normal services will resume on October 17.
Ends/Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:26
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