By The SUN
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| All restaurants must require guests to use the LeaveHomeSafe app from Thursday |
Starting on Thursday, everyone who visits regulated premises
such as restaurants, cinemas, beauty parlors, gyms, hotels, massage parlors,
cruise ships and other entertainment venues, must use the LeaveHomeSafe app
before they can enter.
But the age exemption has been raised slightly to 15 years
old and below for the young, and 65 years old and above for the elderly. Those
who are disabled or destitute and have difficulties in using the app may also
receive exemptions, subject to proof.
The modified rules were released today, Dec 6, by the
government, which also said that there will be no more “type A” restaurants
which do not require LeaveHomeSafe use, and admit only two guests to a table.
All restaurants will have to comply with rules for type B, C
or D eateries, which require all guests to use the app, and whose staff must
either be vaccinated, or tested regularly.
Previously, the mandatory use of the app was required only
in government-owned premises, including offices and indoor wet markets.
After some welfare groups relayed their concern about some
residents not having the means to buy smart phones and thus cannot use the app,
the government said it will grant exemption to certain groups, including the
homeless. However, they are expected to get proof of their situation from
non-government organizations.
"These measures are conducive to tackling the public
health threat posed by the mutant strains. We appeal to the trades and the
public to co-operate and comply with the relevant requirements in order to
further enhance the anti-epidemic capacity of Hong Kong,"
the government said in its statement.
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| 5 imported cases were reported today, including a flight crew |
Meanwhile, five new imported Covid-19 infections were
reported today, taking Hong Kong’s total tally
to 12,466 confirmed and one probable case.
All new cases carry the highly contagious L452R mutant
strain, and all are fully vaccinated.
The new cases include a female air crew member from Finland who
tested positive while in quarantine in Penny’s Bay where she was taken after
being identified as a close contact of a previously diagnosed patient.
The four others came from Pakistan
via Turkey, Korea, Pakistan,
and Russia via Germany. The
first one tested positive on his arrival test while the rest were in hotel
quarantine.
The Centre for Health Protection also announced that as a
preventive measure against the new variant, Omicron, three more places have
been added to Group A or high-risk list.
The new additions are Maldives,
Senegal and Tunisia, which
have all detected Omicron cases.
All Hong Kong residents who
had been to these places in the past 21 days will have to undergo compulsory
quarantine in designated hotels for 21 days, during which they will have to
undergo six Covid-19 tests, followed by another test on the 26th day
after their arrival.
Non-residents coming from these places will not be allowed
entry.
For the complete list of countries and their group designations, please check: www.coronavirus.gov.hk
