A man walks past a closed mahjong parlor in Hong Kong on April 1, 2020. The Hong Kong government on Wednesday ordered the closure of six more entertainment venues, including mahjong parlors, to contain the spread of the coronavirus. (PARKER ZHENG/CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Starting 6 pm on Wednesday, another three types of entertainment venues in Hong Kong -- karaoke lounges, mahjong parlors and nightclubs -- joined the list of establishments to be closed for 14 days to contain the spread of the COVID-19 disease caused by a novel coronavirus. 

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The government has also ordered the city’s beauty parlors, massage parlors and clubhouses to strengthen anti-virus measures. Visitors should wear face masks if feasible and have their temperatures checked at the entrance. The places are also required to offer hand sanitizer to customers.

All seven people who gathered at a karaoke lounge in Tsim Sha Tsui last week were confirmed to be infected

Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee told the media that the regulation takes into account infection risks of the places and the confirmed cases related to them.

She said it may be hard for customers to wear face masks all the time in beauty parlors, but that the service providers must do so.

Chan also said law enforcers would be "lenient" in the early stage of  implementation to allow time for business operators to adapt to the new regulation.

The ban comes amid a surge in local infections, many of which were related to social gatherings. 

All seven people who gathered at a karaoke lounge in Tsim Sha Tsui last week were confirmed to be infected. Hong Kong has so far recorded 714 infections.

On Saturday, the government imposed a two-week ban on six types of entertainment venues -- game centers, bathhouses, fitness centers, amusement places, public entertainment places and party rooms. 

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Offenders face a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$50,000.

The government has also imposed a number of restrictions on catering businesses and banned gatherings of more than four people in public places for two weeks since Saturday to contain the spread of the virus.