Hong Kong to ease social-distancing rules for first time in three months since Covid-19 fourth wave hit; city logs eight new cases
- All sports venues, fitness centres, beauty and massage parlours, and public performance sites will be allowed to reopen
- A government committee has backed the emergency use of the Sinovac vaccine in the city
The announcements on the two fronts came on Tuesday as the city confirmed eight new infections, but also recorded about 20 preliminary-positive cases which would take the daily tally back into double digits on Wednesday.
Health authorities announced they would allow from Thursday the reopening of all sports venues, fitness centres, beauty and massage parlours, public performance venues such as concert halls, theme parks, exhibition centres and cinemas, and entertainment facilities including bowling alleys, ice rinks, gyms and game centres.
Restaurants also received the green light to resume dine-in services until 10pm and accommodate up to four people per table.
But public gatherings would still be capped at two people, authorities said, citing the need for the Executive Council’s approval before allowing groups of four if the Covid-19 situation remained stable.
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Hong Kong to ease Covid-19 social-distancing rules for first time in three months
“Thanks to the hard work and cooperation of the whole of Hong Kong, the pandemic over the last month has become milder. You will have noticed local cases are now at low double digits, untraceable cases also show a downward trend and now are in single digits,” Secretary for Food and Health Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee said.