Ocean Park To Re-open With 'public Health Measures'

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau says Ocean Park will reopen on Saturday, even though the social distancing measures will still be in place for at least another five days.

The government had extended an eight-person limit on public gatherings until June 18 after a new coronavirus cluster was reported in the city. Police had cited the measure when denying permission for the annual Tiananmen Square massacre vigil last week.

Announcing the reopening of the cash-strapped theme park, Yau said on Monday that they had consulted health authorities before arriving at the decision.

Yau said that when it re-opens, the park will implement public hygiene measures such as compulsory masks for all guests, a cap on visitor numbers, and that visitors will have to book in advance.

When asked if the social gathering limit would apply to the park, Yau said they had discussed the matter with health officials and were told that as long as visitor numbers do not exceed 50 percent of the park's capacity, then there will be no problem.

“Whether it’s theme parks and book fairs, as long as they comply with public health measures then they can re-open," Yau said.

Yau also confirmed that Hong Kong Disneyland will also reopen soon, but no specific date has been set.

Additionally, conventions and trade shows will also resume in July, with the Hong Kong Book Fair expected to be held from July 15-21.

The chairman of the Tourism Board, Pang Yiu-kai, said that “people have been really hungry to go out and enjoy themselves".

"They’ve been waiting for attractions to open" as Covid-19 forced many to stay at home, and many entertainment establishments had to shut.

Pang said he believes the reopening, coupled with other schemes to promote local destinations and hotels, will be highly successful in reviving the embattled sector.

"A lot of families are saying 'what will I do with my kids during the summer? Normally we'll promise them a trip somewhere in the summer'."

"Maybe they can't go yet, so we're offering them options with the trade – the hotels, the restaurants and attractions – to create these experiences for Hong Kong families so that they can enjoy a few days away from Hong Kong but in Hong Kong," he said.

"I have no concern that Ocean Park will not be able to bring in local tourists, if anything, I’m afraid there will be lots of queues because people will be going there and enjoying themselves," said Pang.

Ocean Park has been closed since January due to the Covid-19 outbreak, and in May, Legco's finance committee approved HK$5.4 billion in emergency funding to keep the park afloat for another year.