As part of a 'zero-tolerance' appproach, fines for spitting and littering may be raised from $600 to $1,500.

The move is to better safeguard public health in the wake of the SARS outbreak.

Zero tolerance: The fixed penalty for spitting and littering may go up from $600 to $1,500 while patrols at hygiene blackspots will be stepped up to keep the city clean. A monument to commemorate SARS victims may also be set up as a reminder of the importance of public health and hygiene.

In the Interim Report on Measures to Improve Environmental Hygiene in Hong Kong, Team Clean said the SARS outbreak demonstrated the threat of spitting and littering to public health.

The Police, Food & Environmental Hygiene Department, Housing Department and relevant authorities will take more stringent enforcement actions and intensify patrols at blackspots.

The team will also consider publishing the names of offenders and impose community service on top of the fixed penalty. For repeat offenders, a criminal offence or a prosecution policy that carries a criminal record upon conviction may be introduced.

Repeat offenders in public housing blocks will have their tenancy terminated followed by eviction.

A series of announcements and printed materials will be distributed to citizens, new immigrants, domestic helpers and tourists to alert them to the need to observe good hygiene practices and relevant laws.

To spread the message among youngsters, a competition will be organised for students next month to design a symbol to signify a clean new Hong Kong.

A monument to commemorate SARS victims may also be erected at a centrally located site, with annual remembrance days to remind people of the importance of public health and hygiene.