This regulation sets conduct rules for public conveniences, bans several forms of misuse, allows the attendant to order offenders to leave, and makes breaches an offence punishable by a level 1 fine.
Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) Regulation(Cap. 132, section 35) [3 March 1961] (Format changes—E.R. 2 of 2019) Editorial Note: 1. This Regulation is deemed to have been made pursuant to section 35 of the Ordinance as amended by the Public Health and Urban Services (Amendment) Ordinance 1969 — see 48 of 1969 s. 15. 2. The title of this Regulation was amended from “Public Conveniences (Regional Council) By-laws” to “Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) Regulation” — see 78 of 1999 s. 7. 1. (Repealed 78 of 1999 s. 7) 2. (Repealed 78 of 1999 s. 7) 3. Interpretation (1) In this Regulation, unless the context otherwise requires—communicable disease (傳染病) means any form of tinea infection, pediculosis, scabies, smallpox, any venereal disease or any generalized skin infection, trachoma and any other disease which the Director may, from time to time, declare to be a communicable disease for the purposes of this Regulation; (78 of 1999 s. 7)Director (署長) means the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene; (78 of 1999 s. 7)latrine (廁所) includes a watercloset, urinal, dry latrine and any other sanitary equipment or installation for the reception of human excretal matter;public convenience (公廁) means any latrine, bathhouse or wash house which is provided for the use of the public and managed by the Director. (78 of 1999 s. 7)(2) Whenever the Director declares any disease to be a communicable disease for the purposes of this Regulation, a notification of such declaration shall be published in the Gazette.(78 of 1999 s. 7) 4. (Repealed 78 of 1999 s. 7) 5. Conduct in public conveniences No person entering or using any public convenience shall—(a) by forcible or improper means, or for any improper purpose, enter any watercloset, bathroom or compartment therein which is occupied by any other person, or otherwise knowingly intrude upon the privacy of any other person using any such watercloset, bathroom or compartment;(b) wilfully and improperly soil or damage any staircase, floor, passage, wall, door, bath, seat or any other fitting therein;(c) wilfully mark or deface any part of the structure or fittings thereof, or, save with the permission in writing of the Director, affix any bill, placard or advertisement thereon; (78 of 1999 s. 7)(d) use for any purpose other than the purpose for which it is intended, any watercloset, bathroom or other compartment therein, or obstruct any entrance, exit, staircase or passageway therein; (78 of 1999 s. 7)(e) engage in any quarrel, fight or other noisy or disorderly behaviour;(f) spit, except into a receptacle provided for such purpose or a latrine or into a channel or drain provided for the carriage of sewage, sullage, waste water or excretal matter; or(g) leave any litter in any compartment or passageway or on any staircase therein. 6. Use and protection of water systems No person shall—(a) use, otherwise than for flushing purposes, or take away for use elsewhere, any water contained in or supplied to a flushing system in a public convenience;(b) use, otherwise than for personal cleansing or the washing of clothes, or take away for use elsewhere, any water contained in or supplied to a shower-bath, wash-hand basin or stand-pipe in a public convenience; or(c) interfere in any way with a water supply system in a public convenience.(L.N. 19 of 1977) 6A. Removal of contents of septic tank or cesspool A person shall not, without the permission in writing of the Director, remove the contents from a septic tank or a cesspool in a public convenience.(78 of 1999 s. 7) 7. Segregation of the sexes (1) No male person, other than a child under the age of 5 years who is accompanied by a female relative or nurse, shall, in any public convenience, enter any part thereof which is allocated for the use of female persons.(2) No female person, other than a child under the age of 5 years who is accompanied by a male relative or male nurse, shall, in any public convenience, enter any part thereof which is allocated for the use of male persons. 8. (Repealed 78 of 1999 s. 7) 9. Power to direct persons to leave public conveniences The attendant of any public convenience may direct any person whom he, or any of his assistants, finds to be contravening any of the provisions of this Regulation to leave such public convenience.(78 of 1999 s. 7) 10. Offences and penalties Any person who—(a) contravenes section 5, 6, 6A or 7; or (L.N. 23 of 1973)(b) fails to comply with any direction given to him under the provisions of section 9,shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine at level 1.(L.N. 311 of 1987; L.N. 177 of 1996; 78 of 1999 s. 7) 11. Name in which proceedings for offences may be brought Without prejudice to the provisions of any other enactment relating to the prosecution of criminal offences and without prejudice to the powers of the Secretary for Justice in relation to the prosecution of such offences, prosecutions for an offence under any of the provisions of this Regulation may be brought in the name of the Director.(L.N. 362 of 1997; 78 of 1999 s. 7) 12. (Repealed 78 of 1999 s. 7)