A man reads on his phone at a park in Hong Kong on March 9, 2022. (DALE DE LA REY / AFP)

HONG KONG – Some venues of Hong Kong’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department reopened on Friday in view of the first-phase relaxation of social distancing measures. 

All people who entered sports premises and other indoor venues under its management complied with the vaccine pass requirement, said the department. 

Some of the sports centers currentlyused for anti-epidemic purposes will be returned to the department for public use in May, it added. READ MORE: Hong Kong begins relaxing social distancing restrictions

In response to media enquiries on touting activities, the department said it has all along attached great importance to the unauthorized transfer of booked sessions and touting and introduced various measures to combat such activities. 

Some sports centers currently being used for anti-epidemic purposes will be returned to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in May

Under those measures, hirers must present valid permits or approval letters together with their identity documents for verification and registration before using the facilities. 

If the identity document provided by the hirer is inconsistent with the department's booking record or any irregularities are identified, the hirer will be immediately rejected to use the facility,” said the department. 

“The booking right for use of facilities will be suspended for 180 days if a hirer is found to have engaged in the unauthorized transfer of a user permit.” 

Starting May 1, the department will also implement a new measure targeting those who are suspected to engage in touting activities by unauthorized transfer of use of venues. Random inspections by department staff will be conducted.  

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If the hirer is absent during the use of the facilities, it will result in one count of breaching the conditions of use, it added.