New rules for event organisers amid MIRROR probe
The government on Monday brought in a series of short-term rules for event organisers as it investigates an incident in which a giant video screen fell onto the stage at Thursday's MIRRIR gig, leaving two dancers injured, one of them seriously.  As an investigatory task force made its first visit to the Hong Kong Coliseum, officials announced that three new regulations would be in place until the probe is completed.  Anyone putting on an event in a government-owned facility will have have to revise and enhance their stage design, including the use of mechanical devices that they bring in, to ensure the safety of performers, staff and spectators. Organisers will, for now, not be allowed to use mechanical devices that swing, rotate or carry people. And they'll have to have mechanical devices inspected every day by a "competent person", with the agreement of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The department will write to anyone who had booked one of its venues between now and the end of September informing them of the guidelines and reminding them to stick to the rules. In a response to media inquiries in the early hours of Tuesday, the department clarified that the use of equipment such as moving lights, mirror ball and projectors would not be affected. It said most of the performances scheduled for the coming two months would not be affected. The announcement follows the first meeting of the task force charged with investigating the incident, which left two dancers injured, one of them seriously.  The group is led by an assistant director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Lee Tsz-chun and also involves representatives from the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, as well as Louis Szeto from the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.  Police officers were also at the Coliseum yesterday to gather evidence.  Meanwhile, MIRROR's captain, Lokman Yeung, reassured fans in a social media post that the boy band was being looked after. He appealed to people to give the injured dancers and their families time and space, and wished them all the best.______________________________
Last updated: 2022-08-02 HKT 01:51 