People paying respects to their ancestors during the Ching Ming Festival should keep the environment clean and dispose of containers properly to prevent mosquito breeding.

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will provide special cleaning services at public cemeteries and columbariums during the festival period.

The department will clear undergrowth, remove stagnant water in incense burners and containers, and level the ground surface to prevent water accumulation.

Remove stagnant water before leaving

The department will also have more staff to remove rubbish, empty bottles and containers left by grave-sweepers, while providing extra litter bins and toilet facilities.

To prevent mosquito breeding, the public should remove stagnant water and rubbish before leaving graves.

They should not leave behind any containers such as flower vases, lunch boxes, plastic bags, buckets for burning incense or drinks containers.

Wear long-sleeved clothing

As a precaution against mosquitoes, grave-sweepers are advised to wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers and apply insect repellent to exposed parts of their bodies, the department said.

Notices and banners appealing for public co-operation will be displayed at public cemeteries and columbariums.

Managers of private cemeteries will also be advised to take similar anti-mosquito precautions.

Put out fires after burning incense 

Grave-sweepers are urged to take extra care when burning incense to avoid hill fires.

Burning should only be done inside an incense burner or iron bucket and all fires must be put out before people leave the graves.

Officers from the department and Civil Aid Service will step up patrols in public cemeteries and columbariums during the holiday.

Grave-sweepers should remain calm in the event of a hill fire and should immediately notify the officers on site.

Use public transport 

Grave-sweepers should make full use of public transport during the Ching Ming Festival. Access to Diamond Hill Crematorium, Cape Collinson Crematorium and Wo Hop Shek Cemetery will be closed to all vehicles, except those with special permission.