Wet markets to close an hour early from Friday

The government says all wet markets in Hong Kong are closing at 7pm from Friday – an hour earlier than usual – in light of the Covid outbreak.

In a statement, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said this is to strengthen disinfection and cleansing work to better protect everyone’s health and safety.

“During the deep cleaning and disinfection period, FEHD staff will thoroughly clean and disinfect communal areas and facilities in the markets and hawker bazaars, and call for the co-operation of market and hawker bazaar tenants to conduct cleaning and disinfection at their respective stalls,” a spokesman said.

He said the department has liaised with the relevant trade federations of the sector about the arrangements, and has received its support and cooperation.

The new hours also apply to FEHD hawker bazaars at Yue Man in Kwun Tong, Hau Tei Square in Tsuen Wan and the jade market in Yau Ma Tei.

Officials will also get the streets near the markets and bazaars cleaned and disinfected.

The shorter hours won’t apply to the FEHD’s cooked food markets and centres due to the public’s need to buy takeaways and operational needs.