By The SUN
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| Only 2 to a table allowed in bars, and no live entertainment |
The government has released the detailed guidelines of the more relaxed social distancing measures that will take effect for a week
starting this Friday, Sept 18.
The new measures include the reopening of business
establishments that were not allowed to open under the last three phases owing
to the higher infection risk involved, including bars or pubs.
But despite being allowed to reopen, bars will still not be
allowed to have live performances or dancing, and only two customers will be
allowed to sit together at each table. Regular restaurants are now allowed to
sit up to four people to a table, and offer dine-in services until midnight
everyday.
The continuing restriction against live shows has caused a
dampener to the mostly Filipino musicians in Hong Kong,
who have been clamoring to be allowed to go back to work.
At a recent meeting with catering legislator Tommy Cheung,
the Hong Kong Musicians Union led by chairman Manuela Lo, said most performers
had been out of work for the past six months.
They are appealing to get the live shows restored, and have
offered to observe stringent social distancing guidelines such as wearing masks
during the performance, not interacting with guests, and setting up protective
barriers between them and the audience.
Also among the businesses that will be reopened since the
third wave of infections in early July closed them down are places of entertainment,
including theme parks and exhibition venues, party rooms, nightclubs, karaoke
bars and swimming pools.
Despite the marked decrease in the number of new infections
which peaked at more than 100 in early August, government officials are still
urging caution. They say a fourth wave could occur in the coming winter months
so people should remain vigilant.
Thus, the wearing of masks would still be required in public
places, except for some premises like fitness and sports centres, but only while people
are exercising.
A statement released by the Food and Health Bureau said that
the new measures are part of the effort to resume social and economic
activities while maintaining an effective disease prevention and control.
“However, at the same time, we appeal to public
understanding that COVID-19 cannot be eradicated without effective treatment
and vaccination, and the virus will co-exist with us for quite a long period of
time. It is very likely that we will encounter the fourth wave of the epidemic
this winter. Therefore, despite our intention to allow members of the public to
resume social and economic activities…it would not be possible for us to relax
the social distancing measures by a large extent, such as to the level earlier
in June,” said the statement.
It also warned should there be a next wave of infections,
the government could again tighten social distancing measures.
The new requirements and restrictions under Cap. 599F also
include the following:
(a) Amusement game centre: Game stations, machines and other facilities should
be at least 1.5 metres apart and must not be used at the same time, unless they
are separated by a partition; and no more than four persons must play at the
same time
(b) Bathhouse: There should be a distance of at least 1.5 metres between
persons having a bath; and everyone inside the bathhouse must wear a mask at
all times except when having a shower or a bath
(c) Fitness centre: Everyone inside must wear a mask at all times except when
having a shower or are exercising with a distance of at least 1.5 meters from
another person, except a coach or staff of the fitness centre who should be
wearing a mask. No more than four people should use a fitness station, machine
or equipment at the same time; or be in a class together unless they can be
arranged to be in groups at least 1.5 meters apart
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While swimming pools have reopened, beaches remain closed
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(d) Place of amusement: Any person inside a bowling alley and billiard
establishment must wear a mask except when having a shower; no more than four
persons may play at each billiard table or each lane; only group/private lesson
is allowed at ice skating rinks; any person inside the rinks must wear a mask
except when exercising, and must maintain a distance of at least 1.5 meters
from another person
(e) Place of public entertainment: For cinemas, tickets sold must not not
exceed 75 per cent of the seating capacity of the house, seating must be
arranged in a way that no more than four consecutive seats in the same row may
be occupied, no eating or drinking inside a house is allowed, etc. For places
of public entertainment for live performance (except theme parks), only
rehearsals or virtual performances, etc are allowed and no live audience is
allowed; the number of visitors in theme parks and museum must not exceed 50
per cent of the capacity of the premises; ball pits must be closed, etc;
(f) Party rooms: Everyone inside must wear a mask except when eating or
drinking, and no more than four persons may be allowed at each room; all
furniture and facilities must be cleaned and disinfected before and after each
booked session; ball pits must be closed
(g) Beauty parlour and massage establishment: All staff must wear protective
gears such as masks and face shield/goggles at all times when providing service
to customers and the relevant gears have to be changed or sanitised after
service is provided to a customer; only customers with appointments may be
served; and no more than four persons may be allowed in each partitioned service
area.
(h) Club-house: Catering premises within the club-house must operate in
accordance with the above restrictions and requirements stipulated for catering
business, including the requirement to cease dine-in services during specific
periods.
(i) Nightclubs or other premises: No more than 50% of the normal seating
capacity must be filled and no more than two persons may be seated together at
one table; and live performance and dancing must not be allowed.
(j) Karaoke establishment: The measures include that any person within the karaoke
establishment is required to wear a mask at all times except when consuming
food or drink; no more than four persons may be allowed in each room; all
furniture and facilities must be cleaned and disinfected before and after each
booked session, etc;
(k) Mahjong-tin kau premises: Everyone must wear a mask and tile sets must be
replaced with cleaned and disinfected ones every time a new player joins or
application of disinfection materials with durable efficacy must be applied on
the tile sets
(l) Sports premises: Everyone inside must wear a mask except when doing
exercise with a distance of at least 1.5 metres from any other person; each
group must consist of no more than four persons; there must be at least 1.5
metres between each group, etc; and
(m) Swimming pool: Everyone in the swimming pool area must wear a mask except
when swimming or having a shower, or when doing warm-up exercise with a
distance of at least 1.5 metres from any other person; no more than 50% of the
pool area must be filled at any one time; each group must consist of no more
than four persons, and there must be at least 1.5 meters between the groups.
Persons responsible for carrying on catering businesses and
managers of scheduled premises who contravene these requirements could be
prosecuted and upon conviction be sentenced to a maximum fine of $50,000 and
imprisonment for six months.
