'New Testing Rule For Diners Going Smoothly'

The president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants said on Monday that a new rule for some diners to get tested for Covid was implemented smoothly, even though there were minor hiccups at some restaurants.

Under an arrangement that took effect on Sunday, people dining out in groups of more than eight now need to present a negative rapid test result from the last 24 hours, or a negative PCR test result from the past 48 hours.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, Simon Wong said most diners were aware of the new rule, and bookings had not been affected.

But he said some people were a little confused with what they were required to do with their test result.

"The government requires the diners to take a photo of their rapid test result along with their name, date and time, so as to prove that the rapid test is done within 24 hours. Some people may not be used to writing down detailed information," he said.

"And some other people didn't know they only had to show the restaurant a photo [of the test result], and brought the entire test kit to the restaurant."

Wong said while some restaurants offered rapid test kits for those who forgot to get tested and even sealed off an area for diners to do tests, very few people actually needed the service.