Government Warns About Legco Meetings Outside Legco

The government says group gatherings, organised by legislative councillors outside Legco, are not exempt from regulations that came into force last Sunday, that prohibit more than four people meeting together in a public place. The legislation was brought in to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The government issued the warning late on Saturday night, following reports that Civic Party legislator Tanya Chan had held a meeting at a bar on Thursday night, in which some 40 people were present. It was alleged that the bar was not in business during the time of the gathering - with its metal shutter half down - and that social distancing had been maintained.

The government said whether a meeting like this would be considered as being in a public place would depend on the actual situation. But it said, if members of the public were able to enter the bar premises, then it might meet that definition.

It said that offenders were liable to a maximum fine of HK$25,000 and six months in prison.

The government also said the Legislative Council was not a statutory body, or an advisory body of the government, and was therefore not exempt.