Today the government updated the gazetted directions and quarantine specifications for arrivals to Hong Kong, who as 0f 22 December 2020 will have to quarantine in a designated hotel. Currently, there are 36 hotels on the approved list.
The list of designated hotels can be found here www.coronavirus.gov.hk
The updated directions are effective from 00:01, 22 December until further notice.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam has approved The “Star” Ferry Company, Limited application for fare increases for its two franchised ferry services, “Central-Tsim Sha Tsui” and “Wan Chai-Tsim Sha Tsui”.
The Star Ferry applied for an increase of $0.3 and $0.5 in April 2019 and the new fares will take effect on 9 February, 2021. The increase is the first since 2017
The Government has announced it will gazette amendments to the subsidiary legislation under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599), increasing the penalties for breaching the relevant Regulations. The amendments/ new fines will take effect from 11 December, 2020.
A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said, “Anti-epidemic work requires the cooperation and self-discipline of all citizens by strictly complying with various anti-epidemic measures, including avoiding crowds, keeping social distance and maintaining personal hygiene… Faced with the epidemic surge, apart from tightening various infection control measures, it is imperative to increase the relevant penalties in order to create the necessary deterrence effect and ensure strict compliance with relevant requirements.”
The penalties amended under relevant Regulations are as follows:
Any person who participates in a prohibited group gathering commits an offence. The fixed penalty for discharging liability for the offence is raised from $2,000 to $5,000;
Anyone who fails to wear a mask in accordance with the requirement when boarding or on board a public transport carrier, entering or present in an MTR paid area, or entering or present in a specified public place (currently covering all public places, save for outdoor public places in country parks and special areas as defined in section 2 of the Country Parks Ordinance (Cap. 208)) commits an offence. The fixed penalty for discharging liability for the offence is raised from $2,000 to $5,000. The maximum penalty upon conviction is raised from a fine at level 2 ($5,000) to level 3 ($10,000).
Anyone who fails to comply with a requirement of a compulsory testing direction or a compulsory testing notice commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is raised from a fine at level 1 ($2,000) to level 3 ($10,000). The fixed penalty for discharging liability for the offence is raised from $2,000 to $5,000.
The spokesman emphasised that the Government will step up inspections and law enforcement, taking stringent enforcement actions against offenders. If compliance is not satisfactory, the Government does not rule out the possibility of further raising the penalties.
The spokesman added “At this critical juncture of anti-epidemic work, we need the collective efforts of the community to keep social distance and maintain personal hygiene, in order to protect ourselves, our families and the public at large, especially the high-risk and disadvantaged groups. Accordingly, the Government strongly urges all members of the public to stay at home as far as possible and stop all unnecessary social activities. We are confident that with solidarity and concerted efforts of all, we should be able to fight this wave of epidemic together with a view to resuming normal economic and social activities.”
Today the government updated the gazetted directions and specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) to further tighten social distancing measures.
The updated directions are effective from 00:01, 2 December for 14 days
Civil servants are to work from home. Other than those who are providing essential or emergency services everyone have to remain at home.
CE is urging all private businesses to follow in the footsteps in the government and allow staff to work from home.
Video Game Centers
Cinema
Playgrounds
Karaokes
Swimming Pools
Mahjong Parlors
Gyms and exercise centers (No more than 2 people can participate in any activity)
Massage and beauty parlors (They must keep up with strict hygiene rules set out by the government)
Restaurants must all close by 10pm.
No more than 2 persons per table (From 4 persons)
Restaurant capacity will be limited to 50%
No more than 2 persons can gather together at any one time.
Government looking at increasing penalties and fines for offenses related to Cap 599.
Today the government updated the gazetted directions and specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) to further tighten social distancing measures.
The updated directions are effective Thursday 26 Nov at 00:00 until 2 Dec at 23:59hrs
If you feel unwell go to a doctor or the hospital – call ahead first, so as not to risk the stff.
Do not go to the local testing centers. These are for people with no symptoms.
To improve contact tracing all restaurants must apply for a QR code for use with the LEAVE HOME SAFE APP from the government by 2 December. This QR code must be displayed at entrances of restaurants.
More information on the leave home safe app can be found at the website below:
https://www.leavehomesafe.gov.hk
The government will use 599F to make sure that restaurants and other designated venues apply for this QR Code and post up a label within two days.
Today the government updated the gazetted directions and specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) to further tighten social distancing measures. The updated directions will take effect at 0.00am on November 22 and last for 5 days
The details of the updated tightening measures are as follows:
Persons responsible for carrying on catering businesses and managers of scheduled premises that contravene the statutory requirements under Cap. 599F would have committed a criminal offence. Offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
The full government press release can be read here.
Attached is a summary of the latest measures that relate to catering business and scheduled premises
[gview file=”https://www.bcmagazine.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/summary-of-restriction-21-nov-2020.pdf”]
Art Basel today postponed its Hong Kong fair, which was scheduled to take place in March 2021, to May 2021 in response to the ongoing impact of the Wuhan virus pandemic and related travel restrictions.
Adeline Ooi, Director Asia, Art Basel said: “We believe shifting the fair to May is the right decision given the current development of the pandemic and its impact on international travel restrictions. By taking the decision early, our aim is to support our galleries in advance planning for their 2021 programs. We very much look forward to hosting our show in May next year and to welcoming gallerists, collectors, and art lovers back to Hong Kong at that time.”
The 2021 edition of Art Basel Hong Kong will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 21-23 May, 2021, with preview days on 19-20 May.
Art Basel
Date: 21-23 May, 2021
Venue: HK Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tickets: tbc
Professor Sophia Chan, Secretary for Food and Health has announced new and updated Social Distancing Guidelines, Mandatory Testing Rules and Airport testing for those from High Risk Countries that are effective on November 16th at 0001hrs till November 26 at 2359hrs.
Restaurant dining hours will be from 0459-2359hrs.
No more than 4 people may be seated on one table at restaurants.
No more than 2 people may be seated at one table in bars, pubs and nightclubs.
Masks must be worn when not drinking or eating.
Bars and Restaurants will be required to only operate at 50 per cent of seating capacity.
Swimming pools will be limited to 50% Capacity.
The government is looking to imposing new requirements that include:
Limiting the number of guests in each room to no more than four persons. (Those living in the same household will be exempt).
Requiring all visitors to guests rooms to register personal details with the hotel before going to visit a room.
Temperature checks of all guests entering the hotel.
Hotel and Guesthouses must arrange for cleaning and disinfection of all rooms after each check out.
Make hand sanitizers available for all guests.
If the hotel accepts quarantine guests, these guests must be separated on separate floors.
The responsibility that quarantine guests do not leave their rooms during their quarantine period.
If the person in quarantine needs food or games or anything from home these items can be placed outside the door of the guest room on the basis there is no face to face contact.
If the person in quarantine (such as a minor) requires the company of a carer (with prior permission from Department of Health), this person will be treated like a quarantined person. The carer will not be allowed to leave the room and must remain inside until the end of the quarantine period.
This additionally gazetted caption allows the government the right to impose compulsory testing.
