Extension of opening hours and special traffic arrangements of FEHD's columbaria during Ching Ming Festival
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (March 10) announced that in order to facilitate grave sweepers and ease crowding, the opening hours of its columbaria will be extended to 7am to 7pm during the Ching Ming Festival period (i.e. from March 14 to April 19). The department appealed to grave sweepers to avoid grave-sweeping activities during the peak period on the day of the Ching Ming Festival (April 5) and to pay tribute to ancestors over a wider period before and after the festival.
The FEHD also reminded grave sweepers to pay attention to the special traffic and transport arrangements implemented during the Ching Ming Festival. Except for permitted vehicles, all vehicles are prohibited from entering FEHD cemeteries and columbaria while the special traffic and transport arrangements are in operation. Details of the special traffic and transport arrangements in the vicinity of cemeteries and columbaria are available on the Transport Department website (www.td.gov.hk). In addition, the escalator adjacent to the Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium has been opened for public use.
As heavy usage of joss paper burners (JPBs) at the Tsang Tsui Columbarium and Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium is expected during the peak sweeping period, no walk-in queuing for the JPBs will be allowed at both columbaria on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays during the above-mentioned Ching Ming Festival period. Members of the public are required to make an advance online appointment via the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/notice.html) or obtain a queue ticket on-site on the day of their visit at the two columbaria. For details of the JPB arrangements, please visit the FEHD website.
The FEHD reminds the public that the Shek Mun Columbarium and Garden of Remembrance in Sha Tin commissioned last September implements a "smoke-free worship" environment. Burning of joss sticks and paper offerings is strictly prohibited throughout the premises, and no related facilities are provided. The public is encouraged to pay tribute with fresh flowers instead of traditional offerings to help preserve the peaceful and dignified atmosphere of the site.
Green burial allows the environment to thrive and love to endure. Members of the public can register their wishes for a green burial through the Green Burial Central Register (www.greenburial.gov.hk). Registration is simple and free of charge. Members of the public can also pay tribute to their loved ones through the Internet Memorial Service webpage (www.memorial.gov.hk) and its mobile application. During the Ching Ming Festival, a "Green Burial, Love Living On" exhibition will be held on the G/F of the Tsang Tsui Columbarium. All are welcome to visit free of charge. Throughout the exhibition period, a food kiosk will be set up to provide food and beverages for sale.
Source: AI-found images
FEHD releases first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in March
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (March 10) released the first batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in March, covering 14 survey areas, as follows:
District |
Survey Area |
March 2026 |
First Phase Gravidtrap Index |
First Phase Density Index |
Kowloon City |
Kowloon City |
0.0% |
N/A |
Kwun Tong |
Kwun Tong Central |
0.0% |
N/A |
Mong Kok |
Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui |
0.0% |
N/A |
Sham Shui Po |
Lai Chi Kok |
0.0% |
N/A |
Wong Tai Sin |
Ngau Chi Wan and San Po Kong |
0.0% |
N/A |
Yau Tsim |
Tsim Sha Tsui East and King's Park |
0.0% |
N/A |
North |
Sheung Shui |
0.0% |
N/A |
Sai Kung |
Tseung Kwan O East |
0.0% |
N/A |
Tseung Kwan O North |
2.3% |
1.0 |
Tseung Kwan O West |
0.0% |
N/A |
Kwai Tsing |
Tsing Yi South |
0.0% |
N/A |
Tsuen Wan |
Ma Wan and Sham Tseng |
1.9% |
1.0 |
Tuen Mun |
So Kwun Wat |
0.0% |
N/A |
Tuen Mun North |
0.0% |
N/A |
Among the first batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 14 survey areas in March, most of the areas recorded 0 per cent, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was not extensive.
Among these 14 survey areas, 12 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month (i.e. February 2026), representing that the areas' mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Two other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.
The warm and humid weather of spring is favourable for mosquito breeding. Members of the public should strengthen prevention work against mosquito breeding before the rainy season, and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites in advance, with a view to avoiding the nuisances caused by rapid mosquito breeding during the rainy season and reducing the risk of transmitting mosquito-borne diseases.
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:
tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;
remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
change water in flower vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).
Source: AI-found images
