Silencing retailers? Hong Kong environmental authorities’ proposed ban on loudspeakers has hawkers worried
- Retailers competing for business turn up volume to attract customers and cause noise pollution, environment protection officer says
- Proposed ban would not cover news on outdoor screens, food trucks playing music unrelated to goods and restaurants calling queue ticket numbers
Hong Kong environmental authorities have begun consulting residents on prohibiting shops and hawkers from using loudspeakers for peddling, while the retail sector expressed worries that a ban could affect their business.
The government on Wednesday started a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Noise Control Ordinance, including a ban on the use of loudspeakers for hawking in or near public spaces.
Lee Chee-kwan, the Environmental Protection Department’s principal environment protection officer, on Thursday said that since 2017, more shops had been looping pre-recorded audio clips on loudspeakers to advertise their business and products.
He said the department had tried its best to educate the public and enforce the law, but the situation remained.
“In black spots like Tsuen Wan, Sham Shui Po, Yuen Long and Mong Kok, where shops are clustered in the same area, they keep turning up the volume to compete with each other, which has led to a serious noise pollution issue and nearby residents are disgruntled,” he told a radio programme.
