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Published: 10:36, July 21, 2021 | Updated: 18:24, July 21, 2021
Virus: HK govt introduces 'event premises' as scheduled premises
By Wang Zhan
Published:10:36, July 21, 2021 Updated:18:24, July 21, 2021 By Wang Zhan

A woman looks at her phone while riding the Star Ferry crossing Victoria Harbour amid heavy rain in Hong Kong on July 20, 2021. (ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong government will maintain most of the social distancing measures for the next two weeks until Aug 4 as it unveiled clear guidelines on how specific events such as meetings could be conducted, according to an official statement.

The measures to stay included a ban on public gatherings of more than four people and a mandatory mask-wearing order.

To allow social and economic activities to resume gradually in a controlled manner, the government said it will introduce a new type of scheduled premises, namely "event premises", to specify restrictions applicable to certain events with greater clarity.

To allow social and economic activities to resume gradually in a controlled manner, the government said it will introduce a new type of scheduled premises, namely "event premises", to specify restrictions applicable to certain events with greater clarity

A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said specified events including meetings, forums and exhibitions, as well as weddings that were exempted group gatherings prior to the legislative amendments, can be conducted at event premises subject to relevant requirements and restrictions. 

READ MORE: HKSAR, Singapore to review travel bubble in late August

The number of people allowed in the venue will be 100 percent of the normal capacity if at least two-thirds of the people have received at least the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the spokesman said. Otherwise, the number of people to be allowed would be capped at 50 percent.

No more than four people will be allowed in each table or group of guests, except when they are participating in a photo-taking session during which all should be wearing masks.

The spokesman said many social and economic activities have gradually resumed under the two phases of relaxation of social distancing measures based on “vaccine bubble.”

"However, we note that members of the public may not be fully certain of the restrictions and requirements applicable to individual activities, especially for closed-door activities held in premises accessible by the public,” the spokesman said.

"We believe the arrangement can allow event organizers to be more certain about the restrictions and requirements applicable to the events, while at the same time minimizing public health risks, so that social and economic activities can resume in a gradual manner during this period with stable epidemic situation."

The spokesman added that social distancing measures can be further relaxed to allow Hong Kong to return to normality when the vaccination rate is raised to achieve herd immunity.

ALSO READ: HK sees 7 new virus cases, bans Qatar Airways flights from Doha

The government also announced that "cruise-to-nowhere" itineraries can resume from July 30 given that cruise operators follow a set of infection control measures.

All passengers and crew members must be fully vaccinated and the maximum capacity will be capped at 50 percent, the government said. 

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