Grave sweepers mark Ching Ming amid Covid curbs

People headed to cemeteries to pay respect to their ancestors on the traditional tomb sweeping day of Ching Ming Festival, as a two-person, anti-Covid gathering restriction remains in effect.

There appeared to be fewer people at the Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery on Tuesday morning, compared to previous years.

Police were on hand to maintain order, and some tomb sweepers said they had to walk separately from other family members to comply with social distancing rules.

Some visitors also told RTHK that they found it harder to walk uphill to reach the resting place of their ancestors this year because they had just recovered from Covid.

Other people, meanwhile, made use of the weekday public holiday to go hiking with their families and friends.

At the Lion Rock Country Park, hikers were seen donning face masks.

A Ms Wong told RTHK that she was out with her mother to “breathe” and had headed out earlier to avoid the crowds.

Another hiker, a Mr Lam, said he wanted to train up his physical health after recovering from the coronavirus.

He added that he would keep his face mask on and avoid sharing food with friends to minimise any health risks.