Hong Kong government renews call for vigilance as new variants detected

The government had earlier announced the relaxation of social distancing measures, including increasing the maximum number of persons for banquets from 120 to 240.

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Patrons sit outside restaurants on a street in Hong Kong on Sept 21, 2022. (PETER PARKS / AFP)

October 11, 2022

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has renewed its appeal to hotels, guesthouses, club-houses, amusement game centers and their patrons to comply with the relevant rules to prevent and control the pandemic situation amid the detection of two new variants of COVID-19.

The city detected cases involving the new subvariants – BA.2.75.2 and XBB.1 – imported from abroad on Monday when it logged 4,874 new infections.

In a statement issued Monday night, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) continued to step up inspections of premises licensed by the OLA and take stringent enforcement actions against premises operators, staff and customers in premises that defy the anti-epidemic regulations.

All trades are reminded to exercise self-discipline and comply with the regulations to fight the virus together.

Spokesman, Home Affairs Department, HKSAR

During inspection from Sept 26 to Oct 9, officials launched prosecution again one clubhouse and fined three staff members and patrons. During this period of time, they also inspected 121 hotels, 107 guesthouses and 39 amusement game centers.

The authorities required the clubhouse found with irregularities to take corresponding measures for reducing the risk of transmission, according to the statement.

The government had earlier announced the relaxation of certain social distancing measures including increasing the maximum number of persons per table for catering premises from eight to 12, relaxing restrictions on all activities in scheduled premises with a limit on the number of persons per group from eight to 12 and the maximum number of persons per table for bars, pubs, clubs, nightclubs from four to six, and increasing the maximum number of persons for banquets in catering premises from 120 to 240.

The licensees, customers and guests are still required to strictly comply with certain anti-pandemic measures. Customers of catering premises participating in a banquet activity also have to comply with the rapid antigen test requirement, according to a HAD spokesperson.

“All trades are reminded to exercise self-discipline and comply with the regulations to fight the virus together,” the statement reads, adding that the HAD will continue to strengthen its publicity efforts and enforcement actions.

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