Hong Kong Leisure Services impacted by protests

Months of recent protests in Hong Kong have had a significant impact on the Chinese Special Administrative Region's Leisure and Cultural Services Department, with frequent closures of facilities.

Notices on the website of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) over recent months frequently refer to the protests as "special circumstances which may possibly happen nearby", with venues then closed for the day, or closing early.

Venues impacted have included the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Sha Tin Town Hall, Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool, Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre and Sha Tin Jockey Club Public Squash Courts and the Tsuen Wan Town Hall.

In August, thousands of Hong Kong's civil servants, including many from the city’s state-backed and affiliated arts and cultural institutions, joined protests in Hong Kong's Chater Garden, taking part despite an official warning.

Hundreds of cultural workers also signed letters supporting Hong Kong’s protests, which began in early June, using pictures of their civil service staff badges but with identifying personal details covered with post-it notes.

In July, the Hong Kong Artists Union called for “civil servants of LCSD museums and affiliated organisations, including but not limited to the West Kowloon Cultural District, Arts Development Council and members of the nine major performing arts groups, to respond to Hong Kong people’s call to participate in the city-wide strike on 5 Aug 2019, to close or suspend services at museums and art spaces, so as to allow for staffs and artists to participate should they wish.”

A notice from yesterday (1st December) relating to the cultural attractions advised "subject to the situation, more cultural and leisure facilities in the same district and any other districts which may be affected will also be closed early and at short notice to ensure the safety of venue users."