Grave sweepers urged to stagger grave-sweeping activities over wider period before and after Chung Yeung Festival
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The spokesman said, "The opening hours of public columbaria under the FEHD will be extended to 7am to 7pm during the Chung Yeung Festival period (i.e. from September 17 to October 16) to lessen crowd conditions. Grave sweepers must comply with various anti-epidemic regulations including restrictions on group gatherings and requirements on mask wearing. Members of the public should maintain good personal hygiene and keep the environment clean when sweeping graves. The FEHD will also step up cleaning services inside public cemeteries and columbaria."
The spokesman reminded grave sweepers to pay attention to special traffic and transport arrangements which will be implemented during the Chung Yeung Festival. Access to cemeteries and columbaria of the FEHD will be closed to all vehicles while the special traffic and transport arrangements are in operation, except for those with permission. For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements in the vicinity of cemeteries and crematoria, please browse the Transport Department website (www.td.gov.hk).
Moreover, a section of Nim Wan Road to Tsang Tsui Columbarium will be closed on Saturdays, Sundays and the public holiday during the Chung Yeung Festival period (i.e. from September 17 to October 16). Grave sweepers are not allowed to drive to the Columbarium. Apart from MTR Bus Route K52A, the public can also take the special Routes 56S (Tuen Mun Station - Tsang Tsui Columbarium) and 52S (Tuen Mun Road Bus-Bus Interchange - Tsang Tsui Columbarium) provided by the KMB on specified days to the Columbarium. For details, please refer to the announcements from the MTR Corporation Limited and the KMB.
At the same time, to shorten the queueing time for burning paper offerings in joss paper burners (JPBs) at Tsang Tsui Columbarium, the FEHD will reserve a portion of JPBs for online booking during peak periods before and after the Chung Yeung Festival. Members of the public can make advance bookings of the designated JPBs on Saturdays, Sundays and the public holiday from September 17 to October 16 through the "Joss Paper Burner Booking System for Tsang Tsui Columbarium" on the FEHD's website (app.fehd.gov.hk/jpbb/intro?lang=en_US). The timeslots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No advance booking is required for other dates of the period.
To protect the environment and to prevent hill fires, members of the public are encouraged to adopt more environmentally friendly ways to pay respects to their ancestors instead of burning joss papers and incense. Grave sweepers should take extra care when burning incense, which should only be carried out inside a designated joss paper furnace or an iron bucket. They should make sure that all fires have gone out before leaving. Grave sweepers are also reminded to keep flammable items (such as alcohol antiseptic sprays and alcohol-based instant hand sanitisers) away from fires.
The Government has been promoting green burials, and the FEHD has set up the Internet Memorial Service webpage (www.memorial.gov.hk) and its mobile application for members of the public to pay tribute to their deceased beloved ones anywhere and anytime.
Ends/Thursday, September 15, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:48
Issued at HKT 16:48
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