LIST: Hong Kong public markets to close early for deep cleaning

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Some markets in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories are set to close at 7 p.m. in the following days for disinfection.

Some Hong Kong public markets will close earlier in the coming days as a precautionary measure against coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) on Saturday unveiled its plan to disinfect communal areas and facilities in 12 public markets, as well as nearby streets. 

The following markets in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories are set to close at 7 p.m. on the following dates:

August 16 (Sunday)

  • Tang Lung Chau Market
  • North Point Market
  • Lei Yue Mun Market
  • North Kwai Chung Market

August 17 (Monday)

  • Aldrich Bay Market
  • Mui Wo Market
  • Yee On Street Market
  • Sai Kung Market

August 18 (Tuesday)

  • Quarry Bay Market
  • Peng Chau Market
  • Tung Chau Street Temporary Market
  • Hung Shui Kiu Temporary Market

A spokesman said some markets will have FEHD staff checking visitors with hand-held thermometers upon entry. The spokesperson added the department installed automatic dispensers in the market toilets and sensor-type toilet seat sanitisers in toilet cubicles by batches.

“Starting from end August, anti-microbial coating will be applied to the communal areas and facilities of more than 40 markets with high patronage rate in phases,” the spokesman said in a statement.

The disinfection comes as Hong Kong records 4,361 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection. Some of the confirmed cases went to at least 14 of Hong Kong’s public markets, based on Centre for Health Protection data.

The government imposed a two-person limit to public gatherings and required the use of masks in public spaces to curb the spread of the disease.

But concerns of food-borne COVID-19 transmission arose after Shenzhen authorities found traces of the coronavirus in chicken wings imported from Brazil. The FEHD assured the batch of chicken meat which tested positive was not sold in Hong Kong.

The World Health Organisation and the Centre for Disease Control point out that the risk of contracting COVID-19 from food is low.

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