Bars, nightclubs ordered closed as HK records 80 new COVID-19 cases
The Centre for Health Protection in Kowloon City.
Hong Kong health authorities ordered bars, nightclubs and other premises in its latest bid to curb the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in the city, with 80 new infections recorded Tuesday.
Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan announced that bars, party rooms, pubs, and bath houses will be closed again. Banquets in all catering premises can only host up to 40 guests, with the restrictions on the four-person limit per table still in effect.
Some rules remain unchanged: group gatherings should have no more than four people, and masks should be worn in public transport and several public places.
The measures, effective from Nov. 26 until Dec. 2, came as 54 more COVID-19 cases detected today were found to be linked to a growing infection cluster centred on dance venues. The number of infections connected to the cluster is now at 187, the largest recorded since January.
Seven more places were added to the list of dancing and singing venues reportedly visited by confirmed COVID-19 cases. Authorities have earlier used the compulsory testing measures it implemented Sunday to require those who visited these 21 venues, and they will continue doing so for the seven new venues.
Other high-risk groups are also slated for COVID-19 testing at a later date—these include taxi drivers, people with symptoms, and employees at residential homes.
Some premises for sports and entertainment will also be required to have QR codes by next week from the government’s “Leave Home Safe” app, used to track possible COVID-19 cases.
The Centre for Health Protection detected 10 COVID-19 cases whose origin of infection is unknown. According to Dr. Chuang Shuk-kwan from the CHP, the 10 includes a foreign domestic worker aged 38—who resides in Repulse Bay.
Chan urged the public to avail of the various testing services across the city, including the four community centres. She said that of 2,800 people who were required to test for COVID-19, 50 were found to be preliminary positive.
Because of the worsening situation, five more community testing centres will be set up this week. The government will also extend its specimen bottle distribution to include post offices and MTR stations.
A recent arrival from the Philippines—a woman aged 32—tested positive for the virus while under quarantine. She is among the city’s 11 imported cases. Other imported cases were from Nepal, the United States, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Ukraine, Turkey, and Russia.
Hong Kong has recorded 5,782 confirmed COVID-19 infections to date.