CSTB convenes meeting to co-ordinate preparation for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during National Day Golden Week of Mainland
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau convened a meeting today (September 11) to co-ordinate the preparation for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during the seven-day National Day Golden Week of the Mainland (October 1 to 7).
The meeting was chaired by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, with representatives from government departments including the Hong Kong Police Force, the Immigration Department, Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, the Transport Department, the Department of Health, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and various District Offices attending. Representatives from various tourism-related organisations, including the Travel Industry Authority (TIA), the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, major tourist attractions and the hotel industry also attended.
Miss Law said, "The National Day Golden Week is Hong Kong's peak season for travel, and a notable increase in the number of visitors during the period is expected. Government departments and relevant organisations are working closely together, making early preparations for deployment of resources as well as stepping up co-ordination and communication with relevant Mainland counterparts so as to provide a high-quality travel experience for visitors coming to Hong Kong during the Golden Week."
In respect of law enforcement, following the revocation of licences for a travel agency and two tour guides in April and June this year, and the 30-day suspension of a registered shop's registration in August, the TIA revoked the licences of two travel agencies and a tour guide on September 7, on the grounds of their involvement in coerced shopping. This demonstrates the Government's determination to combat malpractices including coerced shopping. With a large number of visitors expected to arrive in Hong Kong during the Golden Week, relevant government departments and organisations will continue to strengthen enforcement actions to protect visitors' rights and enhance their confidence in travelling to Hong Kong.
With the Mainland Mid-Autumn Festival long weekend (September 25 to 27) approaching, during which an increase in visitor arrivals is expected, Miss Law invited government departments, relevant organisations and the travel trade to make necessary preparations to receive visitors as well.
Relevant parties will continue to maintain close communication before the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland to plan and take forward various preparations for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong, and will report in a timely manner the latest situation to the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration.
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau convened a meeting today (September 11) to co-ordinate the preparation for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law (centre), chaired a meeting today (September 11) to co-ordinate the preparation for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland. Miss Law and the Commissioner for Tourism, Ms Ann Chan (left), were briefed by representatives of various participating units on their relevant preparation work. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 11) announced the latest situation regarding dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF). High temperatures and rainfall in summer are favourable for mosquito breeding, members of the public are reminded to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
Dengue fever
----------------
From September 4 to yesterday (September 10), the CHP recorded three imported DF cases. Two of the patients had travelled to the Philippines, while another patient had travelled to the Chinese Mainland and Vietnam during the incubation period.
Hong Kong has recorded 31 DF cases so far this year, comprising 29 imported cases and two local cases. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, comprising 156 imported cases and five local cases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million DF cases, which was a record number. In 2025, over five million cases and over 4 000 DF-related deaths were reported in over 90 countries/territories. From January to July 2026, around 1.9 million cases and over 1 000 DF-related deaths have been recorded globally. Some Asian countries (including Sri Lanka and Cambodia) are experiencing large outbreaks this year, with figures reaching record highs in recent years.
DF has been prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations all along. So far this year, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam each recorded over 70 000 cases; Cambodia and Malaysia each recorded over 60 000 cases; Bangladesh recorded over 40 000 cases; India recorded over 30 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 2 300 cases. Meanwhile, according to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Guangdong Province has recorded over 3 500 local cases in 2025. In 2026, as of August 31, Guangdong Province has recorded 431 local cases, of which 150 were recorded in August.
Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP'swebsite.
Chikungunya fever
-----------------------
From September 4 to yesterday, no new cases of CF had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, both of which were imported cases. Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases and the rest were imported cases.
According to the WHO, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths were reported in 41 countries/territories last year. Cases were reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. According to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, in 2026, as of August 31, Guangdong Province has recorded 733 local cases, with 496 recorded in August, a sharp increase from the 35 and 170 cases recorded in June and July respectively.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
----------------------------------------------------
The CHP reminds members of the public to maintain good environmental hygiene, and to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether travelling or not, members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
- read the label instructions carefully first;
- apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
- apply on exposed skin and clothing;
- use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic, and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
- apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
- reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
- in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Control dedicated page of the FEHD.
The Centre for Health Protection, Photo source: reference image
