CHINA: HONG KONG WORKERS CONDUCT MASSIVE CLEAN-UP OPERATION AHEAD OF CHINESE NEW YEAR AS PART OF CITY'S BID TO STOP A NEW "SARS" OUTBREAK

Record ID: 590754

  • Title: CHINA: HONG KONG WORKERS CONDUCT MASSIVE CLEAN-UP OPERATION AHEAD OF CHINESE NEW YEAR AS PART OF CITY'S BID TO STOP A NEW "SARS" OUTBREAK
  • Date: 19th January 2004
  • Summary: (W2) HONG KONG, CHINA (JANUARY 19, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. VARIOUS OF CLEANERS WASHING FLOOR WITH HIGH-PRESSURE WATER HOSE (4 SHOTS) 0.31 2. SOUNDBITE (Cantonese) MR LEE, NEWS STAND OWNER, SAYING: "We should clean the floor if it is too dirty and keep the place clean. It's a good idea to wash the floor today because it is close to the Lunar New Year." 0.40 3. STORE SELLING LIVE CHICKENS 0.47 4. VARIOUS OF SHOP KEEPERS CLEANSING LIGHT FIXTURES AND FAN (4 SHOTS) 1.23 5. SOUNDBITE (Cantonese) MRS CHONG, STORE OWNER, SAYING: "The street cleaning is good for hygiene. We should not only have good hygiene for ourselves but we should also keep the public places clean." 1.32 6. VARIOUS OF CLEANERS CLEANSING STREET (5 SHOTS) 2.06 7. CROWDED STREET 2.14 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 3rd February 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
  • Country: China
  • Reuters ID: LVABILCUV4Y6A4GH4N56G4UWFQGY
  • Story Text: Hong Kong workers undertake massive clean-up operation
    ahead of Chinese New Year as part of the city's
    bid to stop a new SARS outbreak.


    Hong Kong's Government conducted a territory-wide
    cleansing on Monday (January 19) as one of the measures to
    prevent the re-emergence of SARS.

    The health authorities say Hong Kong is entering a
    high-risk period as three confirmed SARS cases have been
    reported in neighbouring Guangdong Province.

    Health screening at the border has been stepped up to
    monitor tens of thousands of mainland travelers coming to
    Hong Kong - a popular destination for tourists during the
    Lunar New Year Golden Week.

    Traditionally, Chinese people conduct a household
    cleaning ritual ahead of the Chinese New Year which this
    year falls on Thursday (January 22).

    "We should clean the floor if it is too dirty and keep
    the place clean. It's a good idea to wash the floor today
    because it is
    close to the Lunar New Year," said Mr Lee, a news-stand
    owner.

    Hong Kong has been free from SARS since early June 2003
    but health authorities worry the large number of people
    travelling between Guangdong and Hong Kong may help spread
    infectious diseases.

    The health authorities have been urging members of the
    public, especially travelers, to observe good personal and
    environmental hygiene when travelling to the mainland and
    have sought to set a good example with the major clean-up
    initiative.

    "The street cleaning is good for hygiene. We should
    not only have good hygiene for ourselves but we should also
    keep the public places clean," said store owner Mrs. Chong.



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