Police Announce Traffic Changes for Chinese New Year Fireworks in Hong Kong

Crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements for Chinese New Year fireworks display

The Police announced today (February 12) that crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements will be implemented in phases on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon to facilitate the holding of the Chinese New Year fireworks display on the second day of the Chinese New Year (February 18). Members of the public are urged to plan their journeys in advance and to make use of public transport services as far as possible.

Hong Kong Island

----------------

A. Road closure and traffic diversions

Phase I

Wan Chai District

-----------------

- Expo Drive East outside Golden Bauhinia Square will be closed from 3pm.

Phase II

The following roads will be closed from 6pm:

Central District

----------------

- Man Kwong Street;

- Man Fai Street;

- Man Yiu Street between Man Kwong Street and Man Po Street; and

- The unnamed road near Lung Wo Road outside the General Post Office.

Central–Wan Chai Bypass

-------------------------

- The slip road linking from Central–Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel eastbound to Expo Drive;

- The slip road linking Lung Wo Road to Central–Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel eastbound; and

- The slip road linking Central–Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel westbound to Lung Wo Road.

Wan Chai District

-----------------

- Eastbound Fenwick Pier Street;

- Lung King Street;

- Eastbound Harbour Road;

- Expo Drive;

- Expo Drive Central;

- Expo Drive East;

- Lung Wo Road between Lung Hop Street and Fleming Road;

- Lung Tat Path;

- Convention Avenue;

- The Fleming Road flyover;

- Fleming Road between Expo Drive East and Harbour Road;

- Northbound Tonnochy Road between Harbour Road and Hung Hing Road;

- Southbound Tonnochy Road between Hung Hing Road and Gloucester Road;

- Marsh Road between Hennessy Road and Hung Hing Road;

- The Marsh Road flyover;

- Hung Hing Road;

- The Hung Hing Road flyover;

- Wan Shing Street;

- Wan Ying Street; and

- The slip road leading from eastbound Victoria Park Road to Causeway Bay Promenade.

During the specified road closure period, Rumsey Street between Chung Kong Road and Connaught Road Central will be rerouted one-way southbound.

Phase III

The following roads will be closed from 7pm:

Central District

----------------

- Yiu Sing Street;

- Lung Wo Road between Man Yiu Street and Lung Hop Street;

- Tim Wa Avenue;

- Legislative Council Road;

- Tim Mei Avenue;

- Lung Wui Road;

- Lung Hop Street;

- The unnamed road between Harcourt Road and Performing Arts Avenue;

- Performing Arts Avenue; and

- Edinburgh Place.

Wan Chai District

-----------------

- The Tonnochy Road flyover;

- Northbound Tonnochy Road between Gloucester Road and Harbour Road;

- Harbour Drive;

- Westbound Harbour Road;

- Northbound Fleming Road between Gloucester Road and Harbour Road;

- The Fenwick Pier Street flyover;

- Westbound Fenwick Pier Street; and

- Fenwick Street between Harbour Road and Gloucester Road.

Eastern District

----------------

- Watson Road;

- King Ming Road;

- Hing Fat Street northward of Whitfield Road;

- Whitfield Road; and

- Electric Road between Watson Road and Gordon Road.

Phase IV

The following roads will be closed from 7.45pm:

Central District

----------------

- Man Yiu Street between Man Cheung Street and Man Po Street;

- Man Po Street; and

- Finance Street between Man Yiu Street and Man Po Street.

Wan Chai District

-----------------

- Lockhart Road and Jaffe Road between Percival Street and Luard Road;

- Southbound Luard Road between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road;

- O’Brien Road;

- Fleming Road between Jaffe Road and Hennessy Road; and

- Stewart Road, Tonnochy Road, Marsh Road, Canal Road West and Canal Road East between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road.

Eastern District (except for franchised buses)

----------------------------------------------

- Westbound Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) between Victoria Park Road and Man Hong Street;

- The slip roads leading from Healthy Street Central and Tong Shui Road to westbound IEC; and

- The entrance of westbound Central–Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel from IEC.

During the specified road closure period, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:

- Traffic along westbound IEC will be diverted via Man Hong Street;

- Traffic along the slip road of Tong Shui Road heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via Wharf Road; and

- Traffic along the eastbound Connaught Road West flyover will be diverted via Finance Street.

B. Suspension of parking spaces

All on-street parking spaces, metered parking spaces and motorcycle parking spaces within the closed areas will be suspended from 10am, until the roads are reopened.

C. Suspension of public transport interchange, bus termini, taxi stands and public light bus stands until roads reopen

Wan Chai Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Extension Bus Terminus will be suspended from 3pm.

Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange, Central Ferry Piers Bus Terminus, all taxi stands, taxi pick-up/drop-off points and public light bus stands within the closed areas will be suspended from 5pm.

Causeway Bay (Whitfield Road) Bus Terminus will be suspended from 6pm.

D. Suspension of car parks

During the road closure period, vehicles at car parks within the affected areas in North Point, Wan Chai and Central will not be permitted to enter or leave. Depending on the crowd and traffic conditions, the car parks along westbound Gloucester Road between Paterson Street and Percival Street may be closed.

Kowloon

-------

Crowd safety management measures in Tsim Sha Tsui

-------------------------------------------------

The Police will implement crowd safety management measures in Yau Tsim District and Hung Hom Promenade, including pedestrianisation of roads in the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom Promenade in phases.

Depending on the prevailing crowd situation, the Police will implement safety measures within the pedestrianised areas, including the closure of pedestrian subways and putting up barriers. One-way pedestrian flow will be implemented on overcrowded footbridges and in the vicinity of the waterfront promenade. Access control measures at entrances and exits of MTR stations in the area will be implemented as and when required.

If popular viewing spots, including the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, vicinity of the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower, and the Avenue of Stars reached full capacity, members of the public will be diverted to other areas.

As construction works are ongoing in the West Kowloon Cultural District, contractors for the relevant projects have erected hoardings and barriers to cordon off the affected areas, with notices displayed on site. Members of the public are urged not to enter these construction sites or to climb on or lean against the barriers.

Members of the public should follow on-site police instructions, and take heed of all signage and broadcasts at scene.

Special traffic arrangements

----------------------------

The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented in phases until the crowd disperses and the roads are reopened:

A. Road closure and traffic diversions

Phase I

The following roads will be closed from 5pm, except for vehicles with a permit:

- Salisbury Road and the Salisbury Road underpass between Cheong Wan Road and Kowloon Park Drive;

- Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Metropolis Drive;

- Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Hung Hom Road;

- Chatham Road South between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;

- Southbound Chatham Road South between Cheong Wan Road and Granville Road, except for franchised buses and green minibuses (GMBs);

- Granville Road between Chatham Road South and Science Museum Road, except for franchised buses and GMBs;

- Canton Road between Gateway Boulevard and Salisbury Road;

- Southbound Kowloon Park Drive between Gateway Boulevard and Salisbury Road;

- Northbound Nathan Road between Salisbury Road and Austin Road;

- Southbound Nathan Road between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;

- Carnarvon Road between Granville Road and Nathan Road;

- Hong Wan Path;

- Mody Lane;

- Mody Road;

- Mody Square;

- Granville Square;

- Minden Row;

- Hanoi Road;

- Bristol Avenue;

- Minden Avenue;

- Blenheim Avenue;

- Hart Avenue;

- Prat Avenue;

- Humphreys Avenue;

- Cameron Road;

- Cameron Lane;

- Hau Fuk Street;

- Middle Road;

- Peking Road;

- Lock Road;

- Hankow Road;

- Ashley Road;

- Ichang Street; and

- Haiphong Road.

During the specified road closure period, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:

- Traffic along southbound Hung Hom Road will be directed from Hung Hom Bypass to the Cheong Tung Road roundabout;

- Traffic along eastbound Metropolis Drive cannot turn right to southbound Hung Hom Bypass;

- Traffic along southbound Hung Hom Bypass must turn right to westbound Metropolis Drive;

- Franchised buses along southbound Nathan Road must turn right to westbound Public Square Street or westbound Jordan Road;

- Franchised buses and GMBs along southbound Chatham Road South must turn left to eastbound Granville Road;

- Traffic along southbound Canton Road must make a U-turn to northbound Canton Road outside China Hong Kong City;

- Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn left to southbound Canton Road;

- Granville Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road will be rerouted one-way eastbound, while traffic along southbound Nathan Road will be instructed to turn left to eastbound Granville Road;

- Traffic along Science Museum Road cannot turn to Mody Road and Granville Road;

- Traffic along southbound Salisbury Road near Hong Chong Road will be diverted to Tsim Sha Tsui East;

- Traffic along westbound Jordan Road cannot turn left to southbound Canton Road;

- Traffic along eastbound Granville Road near Chatham Road South must turn left to northbound Chatham Road South;

- Traffic along eastbound Salisbury Road must turn left to northbound Kowloon Park Drive;

- Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn right to Peking Road; and

- Traffic along westbound Cheong Wan Road leading to Chatham Road South must turn right to northbound Chatham Road South or proceed via westbound Austin Road, except for franchised buses and GMBs.

Phase II

The following roads will be closed from 5.30pm, except for vehicles with a permit:

- Salisbury Road between Canton Road and Kowloon Park Drive; and

- Northbound Kowloon Park Drive between Salisbury Road and Gateway Boulevard.

Phase III

The following roads will be closed from 6pm, except for vehicles with a permit:

- Museum Drive;

- Cultural Drive;

- The slip road of eastbound Austin Road West at-grade leading to westbound Austin Road West near The Harbourside;

- The slip road of westbound Austin Road West at-grade leading to eastbound Austin Road West near Xiqu Centre; and

- The left lane of westbound Austin Road West leading to the Austin Road West roundabout.

During the specified road closure period, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:

- Vehicles along westbound Austin Road West will be diverted via northbound Nga Cheung Road flyover; and

- Vehicles along southbound Nga Cheung Road are not permitted to enter Museum Drive.

Phase IV

The following roads will be closed from 7.45pm, except for vehicles with a permit:

- Nga Cheung Road between Jordan Road and Austin Road West;

- Canton Road between Austin Road West and Kowloon Park Drive;

- Nathan Road between Austin Road and Jordan Road;

- Bowring Street between Pilkem Street and Nathan Road;

- Tak Shing Street between Nathan Road and Tak Hing Street;

- Southbound Nathan Road between Austin Road and Granville Road;

- Northbound Chatham Road South between Granville Road and Observatory Road;

- Pine Tree Hill Road;

- Hillwood Road;

- Kimberley Road between Nathan Road and Observatory Road;

- Granville Circuit;

- Carnarvon Road between Kimberley Road and Granville Road;

- Kimberley Street;

- Shun Yee Street; and

- Granville Road between Nathan Road and Chatham Road South.

During the specified road closure period, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:

- Traffic along southbound Nathan Road must turn right to westbound Jordan Road;

- Traffic along westbound Jordan Road cannot turn left to southbound Nathan Road;

- Traffic along westbound Austin Road and southbound Cox’s Road cannot turn to Pine Tree Hill Road;

- Traffic along Observatory Road cannot turn left to westbound Kimberley Street;

- Traffic along northbound Pilkem Street cannot turn right to eastbound Bowring Street;

- Traffic along eastbound Bowring Street will be diverted via northbound Pilkem Street;

- Traffic along southbound Canton Road will be directed to eastbound Austin Road or westbound Austin Road West;

- Traffic along eastbound Austin Road West cannot turn right to southbound Canton Road;

- Traffic along westbound Jordan Road heading for Nga Cheung Road will be directed to Kowloon Station Public Transport Interchange;

- Traffic along westbound Austin Road West will be diverted to northbound Nga Cheung Road flyover; and

- Traffic along southbound Nga Cheung Road will be directed to eastbound Austin Road West.

Depending on the prevailing conditions, vehicles may not be allowed to enter the following roads:

- Hung Luen Road between Wa Shun Street and Hung Lok Road;

- Oi King Street; and

- Kin Wan Street.

During the specified road closure period, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:

- Traffic along southbound Hung Luen Road must turn left to eastbound Wa Shun Street;

- Traffic along westbound Wa Shun Street must turn right to eastbound Hung Luen Road;

- Traffic along southbound Hung Lok Road cannot turn left to eastbound Hung Luen Road; and

- Traffic along eastbound Hung Luen Road must turn left to northbound Hung Lok Road.

B. Suspension of parking spaces

All on-street parking spaces, metered parking spaces and motorcycle parking spaces within the closed areas will be suspended from noon to 3am of the following day.

C. Suspension of public transport interchange, bus termini, taxi stands and public light bus stands until roads reopen

Mody Road Bus Terminus, taxi stands and public light bus stands outside China Hong Kong City will be suspended from 5pm. All taxi stands and public light bus stands within the closed areas will be suspended from 5pm in phases.

Star Ferry Bus Terminus will be suspended from 5.30pm.

China Ferry Terminal Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from 7pm.

D. Suspension of car parks

Vehicles within car parks in the closed areas of Tsim Sha Tsui and the West Kowloon Cultural District will be prohibited from entering or leaving from 5pm and 6pm respectively.

The Police will continue to enforce traffic regulations during the Chinese New Year period. Any vehicles found illegally parked within precincts of the specified areas will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.

Depending on the prevailing conditions, other traffic control measures will be implemented. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience, and take heed of instructions of police officers on site.

Source: AI-found images

CHP reminds public not to consume raw oysters and observe food safety for the time being as two more food poisoning clusters reported

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 12) investigating two epidemiologically linked food poisoning clusters affecting a total of seven persons. The CHP reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

New food poisoning clusters

------------------------------------

The clusters involve one male and six females aged between 24 and 45. They developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever about 28 to 36 hours after having dinner at O DELICE! located at Shop L407 on Level 4, THE ONE, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, on January 31 and February 1 respectively.

Three of the affected persons sought medical advice but did not require hospitalisation. All of the affected individuals are currently in stable condition.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the food item that the affected individuals had in common at the aforementioned restaurant was raw oyster. Upon receiving the CHP's notification of the first cluster on February 5, officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)(including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch) immediately conducted an investigation in the concerned restaurant and the raw oyster supplier. Investigations revealed that the raw oyster supplier of these clusters is Jeton International Food and 88 Investment Holdings Limited. The CFS immediately instructed Jeton International Food and 88 Investment Holdings Limited to suspend the sale and supply of raw oysters on February 6, and issued a press release on the follow-up actions on the same day, instructing the trade to stop selling raw oysters supplied by the company concerned immediately if they possess them. All of the newly reported cases consumed raw oysters concerned before preventive and control measures instituted by the CFS.

The investigation of the CHP and the CFS is ongoing.

Continuously rising of norovirus-related food poisoning cases

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The number of food poisoning cases recorded over the past few weeks has continued to rise, increasing from an average of one case per week in late December last year to an average of four cases per week in January. From January 18 to February 12, the CHP recorded 45 food poisoning cases, affecting 53 males and 82 females aged between 15 and 75. Nearly 87 per cent (39 cases) were associated with norovirus, affecting 113 persons. Epidemiological investigations showed that all the individuals affected by the abovementioned food poisoning cases related to norovirus had consumed raw oysters during the incubation period," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

"As oysters feed by filtering a large volume of seawater, pathogens can accumulate in them if they are grown in or harvested from contaminated water. Raw or undercooked oysters are considered a high-risk food. Persons who consume contaminated or undercooked oysters may contract food-borne diseases, such as norovirus, hepatitis A virus or other bacteria. During the Lunar New Year, people usually gather for meals with relatives and friends. I particularly remind the public that only thoroughly cooked food, especially shellfish, should be consumed, whether dining at home or in restaurants, to avoid contracting enteric diseases. Norovirus cannot be killed by alcoholic beverages, lemon juice or wasabi. When cooking oysters in a hot pot or on the grill, ensure that they are thoroughly cooked to effectively minimise the risk of norovirus infection. Given the recent increase in norovirus activity with epidemiological data indicating that most food poisoning cases are related to raw oyster consumption, and as the CFS of the FEHD is investigating the source of raw oysters, members of the public should not take the risk of consuming undercooked oysters," Dr Tsui explained.

"It is worth noting that norovirus is highly contagious. Individuals infected with norovirus through contaminated food can spread the virus to others through person-to-person contact or environment contaminated by vomitus. In addition to causing food poisoning, norovirus is also one of the primary causes of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). According to our surveillance data, the AGE activity level in Hong Kong has been rising since early January, including AGE outbreaks in institutions and schools. Laboratory testing indicated that over 75 per cent of the AGE outbreaks were caused by norovirus. Additionally, norovirus activity has increased in other popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, including Japan and Korea. Surveillance data from Korea showed that the norovirus activity has reached its highest level in nearly five years for this time of year. Members of the public should remain vigilant and maintain good personal, environmental and food hygiene when travelling abroad and pay attention to minimise the risk of infection," Dr Tsui added.

To prevent AGE and norovirus infection, members of the public should perform hand hygiene frequently. Since alcohol is not effective in killing norovirus, alcohol-based handrubs are not a substitute for handwashing with soap and water, especially before handling food or eating, and after using the toilet. Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel or hand dryer.

Members of the public may visit the CHP's dedicated webpages for the prevention ofNorovirus InfectionandViral Gastroenteritis.

Source: AI-found images