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| Govt warns of 'explosive community outbreak' if the virus spread is not contained |
The government today gazetted the extension of the most
severe gathering restrictions it has imposed to date under the Prevention and
Control of Disease legislation for businesses, group gathering and the wearing
of masks in public.
Under the rules, no more than two persons may gather in
public; all individuals must wear a mask in public, whether indoor or outdoor,
including on all public transportation; and all dine-ins after 6pm will not be
allowed in restaurants.
Public amusement places such as games centers, bathhouses,
fitness centers, party rooms, beauty parlors, clubs or nightclubs, karaoke
establishments, mahjong-tin kau premises, massage parlors, swimming pools and
gyms will remain closed.
Likewise, facilities run by the Leisure and Cultural
Services Department where large groups gather such as beaches, barbecue pits,
hiking trails, sports stadiums and the like will continue to be off-limits.
A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau noted that while
the number of new cases daily has dropped from its peak in late July, it remains at a high level
with the seven-day average still higher than the peak of the second wave in
March to April.
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The spokesman also pointed out that unlike the previous outbreak
which largely involved imported cases, the new wave is characterized mainly by
community infection spread out across various places and sectors.
“The latest virus strain is observed to have higher
transmissibility, and its spread to elderly homes and elderly or chronic
disease patients has brought about a rising mortality rate,” said the
spokesperson.
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| The high mortality rate among elderly patients is also causing concern |
“The occurrence of new and growing clusters in settings such
as dormitories for foreign domestic helpers and a workplace for port
workers suggests that the risk of an explosive community outbreak and a rebound
of the epidemic situation remains considerably high.”
The statement pointed out that up to 40% of the new
infections are from unknown sources, suggesting that there are a lot of
asymptomatic carriers in the community.
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| Tunghayan ang isa na namang kwentong Dream Love |
Another worrying factor is the slow decline of the third
wave, despite the most stringent border control and social distancing measures ever
imposed since mid-July. This suggests the third wave of the epidemic, the most
severe Hong Kong has experienced, is far from
over, the government said.
The extended measures include restricting the number of
diners to no more than 50% of a restaurant’s seating capacity, with a maximum
of two people being allowed to sit together at each table. Live performance and
dancing as well as karaoke and mahjong-tin kau activities will be suspended.
In addition, patrons of dining establishments must wear a
mask at all times, except when eating or drinking. Staff must screen the body
temperature of all customers and provide them with hand sanitizer; and keep
tables 1.5 meters apart or effectively partitioned.
Catering businesses exempted from the requirements are those
selling or supplying food or drink for consumption in their premises in
hospitals, residential care homes, treatment centers, boarding schools,
premises controlled or managed by the government, and premises that have been
built for use as a private dwelling.
Also exempted are those that cater to staff at the airport
and the aviation industry; staff canteens of MTR Corp, franchised bus
companies, tunnel operators and franchisees, container terminal operators as
well as at the Hong Kong Sports Institute; business catering for welfare
services for persons with disabilities, elderly, children and youth, and other
disadvantaged groups run by NGOs that provide meals or food and drinks on
premises.
Public amusement places such as games centers, bathhouses,
fitness centers, party rooms, beauty parlors, clubs or nightclubs, karaoke
establishments, mahjong-tin kau premises, massage parlors, sports premises,
beaches, barbecue pits and swimming pools will remain closed.
Those exempted from closure of massage establishments include
government-maintained or registered hospitals or maternity homes and military
hospitals or maternity homes of the Hong Kong Garrison.
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