Rats seen near Cultural Centre prompt FEHD action
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Videos circulating on social media recently showed rats near the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, including a netizen's claim that there were at least 20 rats on an elevated viewing platform. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said on Monday that it had noticed the problem earlier and had already conducted multiple inspections at the site. District officers also entered the Cultural Centre grounds proactively to inspect conditions and give targeted advice to venue managers and contractors. The department said rodent control requires ongoing management rather than waiting until rats are seen
Key Points
- Social media videos recently showed rats near the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, triggering public concern over hygiene conditions around the venue
- One netizen said there were at least 20 rats on the viewing platform above, a claim that helped draw wider online attention
- The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said on Monday it had already noted the issue and carried out multiple inspections before the videos spread
- FEHD advised managers to add bait points and traps, trim vegetation, seal rat holes and pathways with metal mesh, and repair damage promptly
- The department urged venue managers to conduct daily inspections, cleaning and contractor supervision, while reminding the public not to leave food or rubbish behind
Why It Matters
The case puts pressure on managers of major public venues in Hong Kong to show they can maintain hygiene standards before pest problems become visible to the public. It also underlines FEHD's message that rodent control depends on routine environmental management, contractor oversight and public cooperation on waste disposal