Legco To Reopen As Red Alert Is Cancelled

The Legislative Council is to reopen to people who work there – but not the public – from Thursday, when a red alert that was imposed on July 1 will be cancelled.

The building has largely been off limits to legislators, their assistants, reporters and Legco staff since it was stormed by anti-extradition protesters on a night of chaos. They will be allowed back in from 8am on Thursday.

The main lobby and conference facilities will remain off limits for the time being, and public activities including tours of the building will continue to be suspended.

Protesters who stormed into the Legco chamber left extensive graffiti and damaged items within the chamber, including portraits of some former presidents and the SAR seal.

The cost of repairing the damage has been put at HK$70 million, and Legco meetings are not expected to resume until the new legislative year in October.