Distancing Rules Extended By Two Weeks

The government on Wednesday announced that most social distancing curbs would remain in place until July 21 as Hong Kong’s coronavirus situation stabilised.

A government spokesman said the measures were needed as “the threat brought by mutant strains to the global epidemic situation cannot be neglected”.

Among the changes to current distancing measures is an increase in the maximum capacity of cinemas and performance venues to 85 percent from 75 percent.

And at indoor sports premises, people won't need to wear face masks during exercises if all staff and users have been fully vaccinated.

The government spokesman noted that the restrictions could be further relaxed if more people are vaccinated to achieve herd immunity against Covid-19.

Meanwhile, residents of Chung Mei Building in Tai Kok Tsui were ordered to get tested for coronavirus during an overnight lockdown.

The Centre for Health Protection was notified by authorities in Australia that a man, 52, who lived in the building before he flew in from Hong Kong last month, has contracted the Delta strain of the coronavirus.

Health authorities here reported one imported Covid-19 case on Wednesday.

The patient, 32, arrived from Greece. He did not have any symptoms.