FEHD reminds public to comply with regulations when bringing dogs out for dining during Mid-Autumn Festival
With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 22) reminded members of the public that if they plan to bring their dogs along when dining out to celebrate the festival, they should first confirm whether the restaurant concerned is permitted to allow the entry of dogs, and comply with the relevant regulations. At present, over 990 restaurants hold permits allowing dogs to enter. Persons-in-charge of such restaurants should also ensure that their premises comply with the relevant licensing conditions and statutory requirements, and step up supervision and reminders for customers bringing dogs to safeguard diners' safety and public hygiene.
An FEHD spokesman said that both restaurant operators and dog owners have the responsibility to comply with the relevant regulations. Non-permitted restaurants must abide by the law and must not allow customers to bring dogs into their premises; members of the public who bring dogs into non-permitted food premises also commit an offence.
The spokesman added that since the measure of allowing dogs to enter permitted restaurants was implemented on July 9, the FEHD has been assisting all parties in complying with the relevant regulations through ongoing inspections, publicity and education. Following the conclusion of the initial one-month adaptation period, the department has adopted a pragmatic and flexible enforcement strategy, conducting inspections based on risk assessments, with a view to striking a proper balance between promoting pet inclusivity and safeguarding food safety and public hygiene. Regarding non-permitted restaurants which unlawfully allow dogs to enter, the FEHD has so far instituted a total of 20 prosecutions against the offending non-permitted restaurants, and a total of seven prosecutions against individuals unlawfully bringing dogs into non-permitted restaurants. Furthermore, the FEHD has also taken stern enforcement action against serious non-compliant behaviour by customers bringing dogs inside permitted restaurants, including instituting two prosecutions for failing to securely hold dogs on leashes during the adaptation period.
The spokesman reiterated that permitted restaurants must strictly comply with the law and licensing conditions, which include prohibiting open-flame cooking on dining tables, denying entry of fighting dogs or known dangerous dogs to the restaurants, and denying dogs access to food rooms. The FEHD will take decisive enforcement action if violations are found.
The FEHD once again appealed to restaurants and customers to abide by the law and regulations, earnestly fulfil their respective responsibilities, maintain a good dining environment and public hygiene, and jointly promote pet inclusivity. Members of the public can visit the FEHD dedicated webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/dog_restaurants/dog_restaurants_list.html) to view relevant information and the detailed list of permitted restaurants.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 22) reminded members of the public that if they plan to bring their dogs along when dining out to celebrate the festival, they should first confirm whether the restaurant concerned is permitted to allow the entry of dogs, and comply with the relevant regulations. Photo shows an FEHD officer distributing promotional leaflets to a dog owner, reminding her to comply with regulations when bringing her dog out for dining. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 22) reminded members of the public that if they plan to bring their dogs along when dining out to celebrate the festival, they should first confirm whether the restaurant concerned is permitted to allow the entry of dogs, and comply with the relevant regulations. Photo shows FEHD officers distributing promotional leaflets to dog owners, reminding them to comply with regulations when bringing dogs out for dining. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
TD urges public and visitors to plan cross-boundary trips early during Mainland's Mid-Autumn Festival holiday
The Transport Department (TD) today (September 22) said that the passenger and vehicle traffic at land-based boundary control points (BCPs) will significantly increase during the Mainland's Mid-Autumn Festival holiday (September 25 to 27), especially amid the expected inbound peak on Sunday (September 27) afternoon and evening, when waiting times for public transport (PT) services will be longer. Cross-boundary travellers are urged to plan their trips early and properly, allow sufficient travelling time and avoid travelling during peak hours as far as possible. They should heed the latest information broadcasts at major stations and BCPs.
Enhancing services for travel convenience
The TD has been steering local and cross-boundary public transport operators (PTOs) to strengthen their services during the Mainland's Mid-Autumn Festival holiday for the convenience of residents and visitors, including:
- The MTR Corporation Limited will enhance the train services of the East Rail Line between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau Stations at different times from September 25 to 27 based on passenger demand;
- For the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, long-haul sleeper train services between Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and Beijingxi Station will be enhanced, while additional short-haul trips between Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and Futian and Shenzhenbei Stations will be operated from September 23 to 27;
- The frequencies of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) will be increased to an average of about one minute and two minutes respectively during peak hours;
- The quota of cross-boundary coaches will be increased to strengthen services; and
- The frequency of local franchised bus B routes connecting various land-based BCPs will also be increased beyond the normal weekend level, and the operators concerned will reserve sufficient vehicles and manpower to meet passenger demand.
Travel during non-peak hours
It is anticipated that the waiting time for PT services, including the Gold Bus and the franchised bus B routes, may be longer. Travellers should avoid travelling during peak hours as far as possible. Passengers are advised to maintain order while queuing and heed the advice of on-site Police and staff of PTOs concerned. Passengers planning to take cross-boundary coaches are also advised to reserve their coach tickets in advance.
HZMB users travelling to Zhuhai should note that the temporary link bridge connecting the HZMB Zhuhai Port and Qinglu South Road has been closed to all traffic, and the traffic at the Zhuhai Port and neighbouring roads has become very busy during holiday peak periods. They should use PT services as far as possible, plan their trips early, allow sufficient travelling time and remain patient while waiting.
As for motorists of cross-boundary private cars, they are advised that special traffic arrangements may be implemented at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point and Shenzhen Bay Port, subject to actual traffic conditions, during the Mainland's Mid-Autumn Festival holiday to secure smooth access for PT vehicles to the above BCPs. Cross-boundary private cars may experience longer waiting times for crossing the BCPs during peak periods. Motorists should pay extra attention to variable message signs and traffic signs along the roads. In case of traffic congestion, they should remain patient and follow the instructions of on-site Police.
Information dissemination
To plan their journeys ahead, members of the public can make use of the TD's HKeMobility mobile app or website (hkemobility.gov.hk/en/traffic-information/live/cctv) to access snapshots of traffic conditions at the inbound and outbound vehicle plazas of the HZMB Hong Kong Port. They can also check real-time situations of the vehicle clearance plaza of the Zhuhai Port through the WeChat official accounts "hzmbzhport" or "zhuhaifabu" (traffic-info.gzazhka.com:5015/#/) (Chinese only). Moreover, motorists are reminded to always comply with traffic control measures implemented by the Zhuhai authority when driving on the HZMB Main Bridge. Vehicles must not occupy the emergency lane unless instructed by the Zhuhai authority.
The public and visitors may visit the one-stop information platform on immigration clearance "Easy Boundary" (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/bwt/status.html?type=outbound) of the Security Bureau or the HKeMobility for the latest information on various land-based BCPs more conveniently. The TD will provide information on the services and waiting times of the Gold Bus, the Yellow Bus and the MTR. Members of the public are advised to check the latest traffic news through radio and television broadcasts, the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) and the HKeMobility. PTOs and relevant departments of BCPs will also disseminate the latest information to passengers through public announcement systems and other channels at major stations and BCPs.
The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre operates round the clock to closely monitor the traffic conditions and PT services across various districts, BCPs and major stations, and to implement contingency measures when necessary to meet service demand.
Source: AI-found images
