Hong Kong Government Announces New Social Distancing Measures
On 8 December 2020, the Hong Kong Government announced new social distancing measures under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Businesses and Premises) Regulation (Cap.599F) to take effect on 10 December 2020 for a period of 14 days until 23 December 2020. Various regulations under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap.599) will also be extended to 31 March 2021. This follows the last round of social distancing measures which were introduced on 2 December 2020, which, in the view of the Hong Kong Food and Health Bureau, have not eased the impact of the latest outbreak.
The new measures will compel bars and pubs to remain closed and the operations of restaurants will be further limited. Numerous other businesses have been ordered to close, in addition to private companies being encouraged to arrange work from home as far as possible. The prohibition on public group gatherings of more than two people and the requirement to wear a mask in public places and on public transport have been extended until 23 December 2020, with the fixed penalty fines increased from HK$2,000 to HK$5,000. Read More…