Coronavirus threat sees Hong Kong religious ceremony cancelled for first time in more than 100 years
- Parade on Hong Kong island of Cheung Chau was expected to be part of annual bun festival
- But organisers called it off at the last minute after failing to reach agreement with police on social distancing
A traditional religious ceremony intended to be part of Hong Kong’s watered-down bun festival on Thursday has been called off for the first time in more than a century.
The last-minute decision was made because of the social-distancing measures in place over the coronavirus pandemic.
The annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival, which serves to dispel disasters and pray for peace, had already been reduced with the cancellation of its signature “Piu Sik”, or floating colours parade, and bun-scrambling contest.
The Covid-19 outbreak has dampened public interest in the festival, with the number of visitors travelling between Central and the outlying island down 42 per cent from last year, to about 19,000 from 8am to 5pm, according to New World First Ferry Services.
Those who did come, however, did not appear too concerned about the virus. Some could be seen enjoying fishballs and drinks with their masks off, while others ventured around the island in groups larger than four, defying the ban on public gatherings greater than that size.
