High drama as Kai Tak Stadium opens roof

Ayra Wang

Kai Tak Stadium will open its retractable roof for the first time during a stress test aimed at monitoring sound levels tomorrow night.

A total of 50,000 participants, including 44,000 civil servants and community personnel, will join the event from 6pm to 11pm.

As part of the test, a football match between Kitchee and North District under the Hong Kong Premier League under-22 will take place at 8pm.

Commissioner for Sports George Tsoi Kin-pan said at a press conference yesterday that the drill will be conducted with the stadium's roof opening and all audience seats occupied.

"Staff from the Environmental Protection Department will monitor the noise volume and [check if it will disturb] nearby residents," Tsoi said.

Deputy commissioner of police Joe Chow Yat-ming said the event will also test the ability to manage a large crowd efficiently on a weekday when many are anticipated to rush and leave early.

The test will have three stages: admission, simulated emergency scenarios and departure arrangements.

Different incident scenarios will play out, such as fans throwing objects or rushing onto the field during a match.

Spectators are not allowed to bring water bottles into the stadium for safety reasons, but free drinking water will be available. Attendees are also encouraged to use public transport instead of private vehicles as parking lots and pick-up and drop-off points for private cars will close at 5pm.

The park operator will make arrangements to facilitate more convenient transport for spectators from the Greater Bay Area after its official opening, such as the deployment of cross-border bus services.

Chow said about 48,000 participants will have left the venue by 10pm, with the remaining 2,000 to participate in mass emergency evacuation simulations.

Pick-up and drop-off points for taxis and buses near Sung Wong Toi MTR station will open between 5pm and 12am and the Transport Department will also inform taxis of the number of people waiting for pick-up.

The Tuen Ma Line will operate with increased frequencies similar to morning peak hours and use extra vacant trains. The Transport Department will establish 10 designated bus routes, with two bus operators deploying 65 buses to transport spectators from the park to urban areas and the New Territories.

One-way control measures will be implemented at specific exits of Kai Tak and Sung Wong Toi stations to streamline pedestrian flow.

MTR services on the Kwun Tong Line will also see enhanced frequencies during the departure period.

Another stress test with over 50,000 participants is scheduled for February 16.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com