Social Distancing Measures Extended Until May 7

Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Tuesday announced that social distancing measures put in place by the government to fight the coronavirus pandemic will be extended until May 7.

The ban on public gatherings of more than four people and the forced closure of venues such as bars, gyms and cinemas were due to expire on Thursday.

But Lam said they need to be extended for another two weeks as the city must remain vigilant against the spread of Covid-19.

Speaking to reporters before the weekly Executive Council meeting, she admitted it was a difficult decision because of the adverse impact brought to residents and businesses, but she noted that Hong Kong is already better than many other places as the city doesn’t have to order a lockdown.

“The government totally understands that Hong Kong citizens feel helpless that they have lost their normal social activities. A lot of inconvenience is caused to their leisure activities. But we should tolerate it for some time,” Lam said.

“I have come to this view together with the advice of the experts and my colleagues that for the time being, the better balance to be struck and a safer approach to ensure that all the success that Hong Kong has achieved over the last three months will not be wasted, is to extend these social distancing measures for another 14 days,” she said.

The CE did not say any measures will be relaxed, but a statement issued by the Food and Health Bureau soon after Lam spoke said one curb imposed on restaurants will be eased.

It said the 50 percent capacity restriction for restaurants will be removed, but other measures like compulsory mask wearing, a limit of four people per table and a distance of 1.5 metres between tables will remain in place.

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