In recent days, the autumn is brisk and the season of hiking and camping has begun. However, the camping sites and barbecue areas of the country parks and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department have been closed for more than a year. There is still no timetable for reopening due to the epidemic. During this period, more than 1,000 people used illegally. Fined.
A Shan, who runs the Facebook page "Hong Kong Mountain Girl", initiated a joint signing earlier, and more than 5,000 people asked the Fisheries and Conservation Department to reopen the campsite.
She felt helpless and unreasonable in response to the official voice of the government. She bluntly said that the official camps were closed for many years, and the illegal camping hikers would urinate and throw garbage, pollute the countryside, or encourage the patronage of unlicensed private camps.
Camping and barbecue facilities in country parks will be temporarily closed from July 15 last year, but recreational facilities such as country parks and hiking trails will remain open for use as usual.
When Hong Kong maintained zero local diagnoses for more than a month, and the Standard Chartered Marathon involving more than 10,000 people was successfully held last month, many major events such as the Victoria Harbour Swimming and the Hong Kong Cycling Festival have been announced to resume. However, camping and barbecue facilities have not yet been announced. There is a reopen message.
Fisheries and Conservation Department: The global epidemic is still severe and there is no plan to unblock it
The AFCD explained that the recent confirmed cases in Hong Kong have remained at a low level, but the global epidemic is still severe. It is necessary for the community to maintain vigilance against the epidemic to prevent the spread of the epidemic in the community. There is no plan to reopen the relevant venues.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department pointed out that barbecue and camping are group activities. Multiple groups use the venue at the same time. It is easy for users to have close social contact. In addition, the public will take off their masks when grilling and eating, and the risk of virus transmission is higher. According to the government's epidemic prevention guidelines, the barbecue site and Pui O camp are still closed, and the opening arrangements will be reviewed in due course.
Fisheries and Conservation Department arrests thousands of people for illegal camping or barbecue
However, camping in country parks did not stop due to the epidemic.
According to information from the Fisheries and Conservation Department, from July 15 last year to October 31 this year, a total of 1,100 people (another 100 cases before July 15) were taken against persons involved in illegal camping or barbecue activities in country parks. , Which is 3.6 times higher than the total of 238 violation cases from 2017 to 2019.
According to the "Country Parks and Special Areas Regulations", no one is allowed to enter the enclosed area during the closure of the relevant venues, and offenders are illegal.
Once convicted, the maximum penalty is a fine of 2,000 yuan and three months’ imprisonment. At the same time, in the country parks, visitors are not allowed to camp or barbecue outside designated places to light fires. Otherwise, it is also illegal. Once convicted, the maximum can be sentenced to separate sentences. A fine of 2,000 yuan and imprisonment for 3 months or a fine of 5,000 yuan and imprisonment for 1 year.
Asan believes that the official camps have been closed for many years, and the illegal campers may defecate and throw rubbish indiscriminately, pollute the countryside, or encourage patrons of unlicensed private camps.
(Information Picture / Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Hong Kong Mountain Girl: Why is it banned to barbeque while dining in a restaurant?
Under the epidemic, citizens cannot travel outside, and there is a certain demand for camping and barbecue venues.
During the enclosure period, the AFCD and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department received about 260 and 23 enquiries or comments on venue arrangements respectively. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department also received 77 complaints about the suspension of the barbecue site so far.
A Shan, a member of the "Hong Kong Mountain Girl" on the FB page, believes that large-scale events such as the Standard Chartered Marathon and Victoria Harbour Swimming have resumed one after another. The public can still go hiking as usual. Camping and barbecuing, which are also outdoor activities, are banned. Because people are prohibited from eating, why are they allowed to eat in restaurants? I think the government must provide clear evidence.
Citizens are currently unable to camp legally in country parks. She said that apart from taking the risk of illegality, there are no facilities such as toilets and water sources. Some people with poor hygiene awareness will defecate and discard garbage and food residues everywhere, affecting the countryside environment.
She recalled that when she went hiking in Sai Kung earlier, she had seen many people set up camp, and found toilet paper in the grass and smelled urine. If the official camp was reopened, at least toilets would be set up and a dedicated person would clean them regularly.
She also pointed out that many private camping sites are operated without a license, but the public believes that the charges are legal, which in a disguised form encourages development in violation of regulations.
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