Bars Ask Govt To Clarify And Relax Covid Rules

A bar industry representative on Monday said she believes some bars might have arranged DJs to entertain their customers because the Covid ban on live performances was not clearly defined.

Anthea Cheung, director of the Lan Kwai Fong Association, made the comment on an RTHK programme as video clips circulating online showed patrons dancing to DJs at one of the bars linked to a cluster earlier this month.

Cheung said it had not been clear whether DJing counted as a live performance.

"In response to our enquiry, the FEHD (Food and Environmental Hygiene Department) said DJs playing music is a type of live performance, but it isn't stated clearly in the regulations," she said.

She added that she hoped the authorities would explain the rules more clearly and also consider relaxing the ban.

"We hope the government will discuss with the sector so as to strike a balance between doing business and fighting the pandemic. For example, can we allow the playing of live music while the staff have to wear masks and keep a suitable distance from the customers?" she asked.

Meanwhile, leading microbiologist Ho Pak-leung said he didn't see any need to tighten anti-epidemic measures in light of the Covid outbreaks at the two bars.

Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme, the University of Hong Kong expert said the overall Covid situation was on a steady downward trend.

But he said authorities could step up inspections if the bars were found to have breached anti-Covid rules, including the requirement for them to operate at 75 percent of their capacity.

"Initial findings show that 700 patrons scanned the LeaveHomeSafe app and entered the two bars respectively... So it's possible that the bars broke the rules. Going forward, how will the government effectively ensure the venues operate at a lawful capacity? I think the sector should propose a way to the government," he said.