Large Crowds Seen On Easter Sunday As Advice Ignored

Large numbers of people decided to ignore the government's call to stay at home on Sunday, visiting the seaside, shopping districts and outlying islands on the third day of the four-day Easter break.

The town centre of Sai Kung was bustling with people, with dozens of people buying seafood near pier.

A Sai Kung resident, surnamed Law, said he came out after staying at home for a few days.

He said he felt the number of visitors to his district has swelled over Easter.

"It's just similar to the scene in the summer, maybe summer vacation," he noted.

A mother revealed that she and her children had travelled all the way from Sha Tin to Sai Kung to relax a bit, adding that it was their first family outing since the Lunar New Year.

"We're wearing face masks and brought along hand sanitisers," she said. "It's too boring to always spend time at home, right?"

She said she was not too worried by the amount of people there and would leave as soon as she felt the crowd was too overwhelming.

Cheung Chau was also filled with people.

Families were spotted enjoying snacks on the side of the street and others were sunbathing on the beaches of the outlying island.

A woman, surnamed Ying, told RTHK at the Central pier that she was going to a friend's place in Cheung Chau.

"The weather today was pretty good," she said. "And we'll be extra careful when we're aboard the ferry."

She also said she and her family were wearing stronger face masks for the trip and she would keep reminding her children to wash their hands.

Another person at the Central pier, a man surnamed Yeung, said he was going for a hike.

"I'm coming out for a walk as I'd been stuck at home for too long" he said. "There's not much to worry about, I'm not going to anywhere crowded."

And Mong Kok was once again busy with shoppers.

Some told RTHK that it was fine to go out as long as they took proper protective measures against the coronavirus.