The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, and the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr Leung Siu-fai, visited Tai Mo Shan Country Park this morning (March 7) to learn more about the management services of the park amid the epidemic. Mrs Lam noted that the number of visitors in various country parks across the territories increased by 25 per cent in February.

     Mrs Lam visited the Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre and the Twisk Country Park Management Centre of Tai Lam Country Park as well as its campsite and hiking trails to learn about the anti-epidemic measures and management work of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), including temperature checks for visitors at the visitor centre.

     She also visited a refreshment kiosk at Tai Mo Shan Country Park to know more about its business. The AFCD has provided rent concessions to all kiosks in country parks and will extend such relief measures until September this year to help tide small shop operators over the difficult times. She appreciated the kiosk's contribution to environmental protection and its reduction of waste and disposable plastics, which helps the public adopt a green lifestyle while enjoying the countryside.

     Dr Leung also introduced the work of the AFCD on enhancing country parks to Mrs Lam along the way, including the enhancement of campsites and associated facilities, the improvement of hiking trails with natural materials, the provision of more lookout points for enjoying the scenery and strengthening the services of visitor centres. Among them, a new refreshment kiosk at the Tai Mo Shan Visitor Centre will be opened on April 1 this year.

     Praising AFCD personnel for their commitment to service, Mrs Lam said in the face of the increase in visitors in country parks during the epidemic, front-line staff members have been strengthening anti-epidemic and cleaning work to protect the health of the public. The AFCD has also enhanced its promotions and public education on anti-epidemic measures and protection of the environment through various means including social media and the networks of partner organisations. She appealed to members of the public to keep an appropriate social distance while enjoying the countryside amid the epidemic.

Ends/Saturday, March 7, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:23

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