Curbs On Restaurants, Gyms To Ease From Friday

The government said that it will ease some of the coronavirus restrictions currently in place from Friday, like extending dine-in at restaurants for one more hour and allowing restricted functioning of establishments such as gyms and massage parlours.

Health Secretary Sophia Chan said on Wednesday clubhouses and arcade centres will also be allowed to resume operation, provided they implement specified anti-epidemic measures.

But bars, karaoke lounges, mahjong parlours and swimming pools remain closed.

The authorities had eased some of the tight restrictions imposed in July when the city was hit by a third wave of coronavirus cases, which saw the number of Covid-19 cases in the city spike sharply.

But as the number of new cases started falling by the end of last month, some curbs were eased. Last week cinemas, beauty parlours and some outdoor exercise venues were reopened with some social distancing measures in place. Restaurants were also allowed to offer dine-in service till 9pm.

Chan said the decision to allow dining in for one more hour was made because of demands from the public and the catering sector.

"We listened to the citizens telling us that sometimes it’s a bit rushed in having dinner because Hong Kong people tend to work late, and so therefore slightly extending by one hour would serve the purpose," said the health chief.

The government is also allowing gyms, massage parlours, clubhouses and arcade centres to resume operation.

However, operators must implement anti-epidemic measures such as not allowing more than four people in a fitness class, and a similar number around snooker tables. Massage parlours should maintain a distance of 1.5m between beds.

Chan said the authorities took into account people's mental and physical health when deciding which premises could reopen.

"We gather that actually many people would like to do some exercise and some sports in the midst of the epidemic, which have lasted for about eight months now."

"So people are tired, fatigued, and so doing some exercise would also bring about physical as well as mental health, So we felt that this is something that would have some priority," Chan said.

But the health secretary noted that people still have to wear masks in places like gyms, to minimise the risk of infection

The eased restrictions will last for one week until September 10, subject to the city's Covid-19 situation.

A social gathering ban of no more than two people in a public place and a mandatory mask order in all areas, except for those doing strenuous exercise and in country parks, will stay in effect.