Restrictions To Ease For Vaccinated People

Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Monday signaled a new phase in Hong Kong’s fight against the coronavirus, saying people who get vaccinated would enjoy a further easing of social distancing restrictions that could see bars, karaokes and nightclubs reopen, large banquets resume and travel restrictions eased.

But at a news conference on Monday, Lam said these are all preliminary plans that would need to be fleshed out upon further consultations with various industries, and current social distancing restrictions would be extended for another two weeks to April 28 at the earliest.

After that, businesses would enjoy fewer restrictions – on the condition that all staff and customers have been inoculated against Covid-19; and all customers start using the government’s LeaveHomeSafe exposure notification app.

Lam said there would be a phased approach with more people allowed per table than then current four, and opening hours gradually extended past 10pm, as more and more people get vaccinated.

She gave as an example that once restaurant staff have all received their first dose of a Covid vaccine, up to six customers can be seated per table, while closing hours can be extended to midnight.

But when staff and customers have received both doses, plus an extra 14 days for the antibodies to develop, restaurants could then set up special ‘clean zones’ where as many as 12 patrons can sit together, and wine and dine until 2am.

Even banquets of up to 100 guests can resume in 'vaccine bubbles' once these conditions are met, Lam said.

"This so-called vaccine bubble is very much based on the individual behaviour or the [behaviour of the] group of individuals, or the venue-based group of individuals," Lam explained. "So if you have been vaccinated and all the staff in the restaurant have been vaccinated, then they can enjoy the relaxed measures in terms of the number of customers per table and the operating hours."

We do not need to wait until everybody or a certain percentage of Hong Kong people have been vaccinated," Lam said.

She dismissed suggestions that the move would be unfair to those who're ineligible, or unfit for vaccination.

"We are just targeting individuals... for example, if a family of eight persons want to enjoy the dinner together, sitting around a table, then this group of individuals of eight, they all have to be vaccinated."

Meanwhile, the CE said bars can also reopen at limited capacity if all staff and customers have received one vaccine dose, while restrictions can be further relaxed once all staff and customers have received both jabs.

Lam said officials will be discussing with representatives from various sectors, including nightclubs, saunas, party rooms, karaokes and mahjong parlours, on phased reopening conditions and and arrangements over the coming weeks.

For those entertainment venues that have been ordered closed for the past four months, Lam said special subsidies amounting to HK$400 million would be handed out, to tide them through their difficulties.

Officials will also be discussing scaling back other restrictions for religious gatherings, weddings and local tours.

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