Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor hosts a press conference in Hong Kong, March 27, 2020. (PARKER ZHENG/CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced measures to toughen control on social gatherings on Friday as the city recorded its largest-ever single-day jump in coronavirus infections with 65 new cases.

Starting from Sunday, gatherings of more than four people in public places will be banned. Public transport, government and legislative meetings, funerals and marriage ceremony will be exempted, Lam said. 

Lam also announced that party-room rental services and public entertainment venues, including cinemas, fitness rooms, game centers, bath houses and playgrounds, will be shut for 14 days starting from 6 pm on Saturday.

READ MORE: HK sees largest daily rise in infections with 65 new cases

The government will also impose tougher control on eat-in services of restaurants, as 45 patients were linked to bars in the city’s largest local infection cluster. 

Chief Executive Carrie Lam also ordered to shut party-room rental services and public entertainment venues for 14 days starting from 6 pm on Saturday

Measures to restrict dine-in services in restaurants will be imposed starting from 6 pm Saturday. The maximum number of dine-in customers will be restricted to no more than half of the restaurant's available seats. Each table should be at least 1.5 meters apart and no more than 4 people should sit in one table.

Customers are required to wear masks when they enter the restaurants and should only remove them when they eat. They also need to have their body temperature taken by restaurant staff. Restaurants are required to provide hand sanitizers for customers.

The government will provide subsidy to eateries to cover their losses as long as they do not fire employees during the epidemic.

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In separate government statements, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department announced to close country park barbecue sites and campsites for 14 days starting from 6 pm Saturday, while the Housing Authority will close its outdoor sports and recreational facilities from 6 pm Saturday until further notice. 

The closure will apply to all ball courts, table tennis tables, children's playgrounds and fitness equipment for the elderly.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department also announced to close free outdoor leisure facilities, including soccer pitches, basketball courts and fitness equipment, starting from 6 pm Saturday.

These measures, to be added under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance, will be renewed for another 14 days if necessary.

The government also announced a second round of anti-epidemic fund to help those affected by the new rules.