Hong Kong should not impose a blanket ban on storm chasers, legal experts have said, while one lawmaker has suggested taking a leaf out of Macau’s book to designate high-risk zones as off-limits for people and vehicles during a typhoon.
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Lawyers and lawmakers on Friday weighed in on Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung’s suggestion to introduce a law to curb storm chasing, after dozens of residents ignored government warnings and gathered to watch the ferocious waves during Super Typhoon Ragasa on Wednesday.
Legislator Edward Leung Hei said that Hong Kong could look to Macau’s approach of designating specific areas as high-risk zones.
He said prohibiting people or vehicles from staying in or passing through specific areas could more effectively deter the reckless behaviour of “storm chasers”.
“Since Hong Kong’s beaches are managed by various departments or private organisations, the legislation should allow prosecutions without law enforcement officers being present on site,” he said.
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In neighbouring Macau, the Civil Protection Law, which took effect in 2020, divides public emergencies caused by natural disasters into five levels, from “general” to “catastrophe”.
Once authorities declare a public emergency of Level 3 or higher, they have the right to forcibly evacuate people in danger and to prohibit individuals or vehicles from staying in or passing through specific areas.