HONG KONG: Hong Kong will adopt more stringent social distancing measures following an exponential increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases in the city over the past few days.

The tightened measures include reducing the number of diners allowed per table, restricting group gatherings and closing religious sites and hair salons from today.

The measures will remain in force until the rollout on Feb 24 of a “vaccine pass” programme allowing only vaccinated visitors to enter certain premises.

At a news briefing on Tuesday afternoon, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said catering premises under Types B and C operating modes will only allow two dinners per table, and those under Type D can have four diners per table.

Under the government’s pandemic-related regulations, Type B restaurants must not exceed 50% of the seating capacity.

The cap for Type C restaurants is 75% of the seating capacity while Type D restaurants can operate at full capacity.

Staff members at Type B restaurants must undergo Covid-19 testing once every seven days, or must have completed a Covid-19 vaccination course; staff at Type C restaurants must have received their first dose of the vaccine, while those at Type D restaurants must be fully vaccinated.

The government is also extending group gathering restrictions to private premises - the first time such restrictions have come into force - with no more than two families allowed at one time.

Lam said that apart from the 17 kinds of premises already regulated under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance, six more kinds of premises - including religious sites, shopping malls, supermarkets, public markets and hair salons - will be added to the list after the “vaccine pass” programme is launched on Feb 24.

The “vaccine pass” arrangement will initially allow those who have had at least one vaccination to enter certain public places, including eateries, public libraries and entertainment establishments.

 - China Daily