The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department reminds poultry retailers and the public the next rest day falls on February 9.

The department said the rest day has been advanced one day to the third day of the Lunar New Year so cleaning can be done immediately after the festive days to reduce the risk of avian influenza.

On the rest day operators of market stalls and fresh provision shops must slaughter all live poultry remaining on the premises before noon, and suspend business in the afternoon and evening for thorough cleaning and disinfection.

Department officers will inspect outlets on the day and failure to comply with rest-day conditions will lead to immediate cancellation of shop licences or stall tenancies.