Gatherings still capped at 2 people, but 4 people can dine together by Feb. 18

Prof. Sophia Chan, Secretary for Food and Health, announced the relaxation of some social distancing measures that have been in force for months. (SCREENSHOT: Information Services Department/isd.gov.hk)

Hong Kong is pushing through with the first easing of social distancing measures since the onset of the fourth Covid-19 wave in November, but people will still have to gather in groups of two in public spaces.

Secretary for Food and Health Prof. Sophia Chan announced in a press briefing that dine-in services in catering premises will be extended to 10 p.m. by Thursday, and groups of four will be allowed to sit and eat together.

But public gatherings will still be limited to two people from Feb. 18 to Mar. 3, and the mask-wearing requirement in certain public spaces will still be implemented for the said time.

Chan said the Executive Council still needs to approve increasing the limit on people in public gatherings.

Several businesses that were previously closed—including cinemas, theme parks, and sports venues—will be reopened. They will be allowed to operate on the condition that staff must test for Covid-19 every two weeks, and they must collect contact information from visitors or have them use the government’s contact-tracing mobile app.

Asked if the measures will further be relaxed, the Health Secretary said they will still monitor a possible rebound in Covid-19 cases after the long Lunar New Year holiday. She added that opening up previously closed premises will also increase the number of people congregating in those places.

“We have to be very careful in monitoring the situation so I do not think the next phase of relaxation will be very soon,” she said.

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