Calls Grow For Karaokes, Mahjong Parlours To Be Shut

The government was urged on Tuesday to close more entertainment venues such as karaokes and mahjong parlours, which are not covered by new social distancing laws that took effect over the weekend in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

This comes after five people who went to a karaoke in Tsim Sha Tsui together last week were diagnosed with Covid-19.

New laws have forced the temporary closure of other establishments such as cinemas, gyms, ice rinks and video game arcades.

But Dr Derrick Au, a former director of quality and safety at the Hospital Authority, said all types of entertainment venues should be covered.

“If we feel quite clearly that gatherings or entertainment in an enclosed environment is quite a high-risk activity, there’s no particular reason why we have to wait and see what happens in the mahjong clubs and karaokes.”

“I’m not pinpointing these two settings. There must be other similar situations which are presently not covered. But I think this is quite a “visible omission” of the protection firewall,” he said.

A private infectious disease doctor, Joseph Tsang, agreed that karaokes should be shut.

He said the ventilation is poor in these places which are usually small. He said it is easy for the virus to be spread among people gathering in groups eating and having fun together.

Executive councillor Ronny Tong, meanwhile, said officials had explained to him that karaokes and mahjong parlours were not closed because they are regulated under a different licensing system. But he said venues that are considered high-risk should be closed or regulated with stricter measures nevertheless.

Tong said the laws give the government the power to order the closure of other venues at anytime.