Hong Kong Tightens Social Distancing Measures from 11 July 2020

After a spike in locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong between 2 and 8 July, 2020, the HKSAR Government announced on 9 July tightened social distancing measures (the New Hong Kong Social Distancing Measures) effective from 11 to 24 July 2020 (the Specified Period). The New Hong Kong Social Distancing Measures take effect under amendments to Hong Kong’s Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) (the Hong Kong Business Premises Regulations) and represent a tightening of the measures announced by the HKSAR Government on 30 June 2020.

1. Hong Kong Restrictions on Group Gatherings in Public Places

   There is no change to the number of people allowed in a group gathering in a public place. The limit remains at 50 under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) which is effective until 16 July 2020.

2. COVID-19 Restrictions on Hong Kong Catering Businesses, Bars and Pubs

   Catering businesses must restrict the number of customers on their premises at any one time to 60% of the normal seating capacity. The restriction on the number of persons permitted to sit at one table has been reintroduced and will limit the number of persons to 8 per table in all catering premises.  For bars and pubs, no more than 4 people can sit at one table. The New Hong Kong Social Distancing Measures for catering businesses and bars/pubs are summarised below.

   	Catering business	Bars and pubs
   Mask requirement	Yes, customers are required to wear masks except when they are eating or drinking.
   Distancing	A distance of 1.5 metres is required between tables or there must be an effective partition between tables.
   Headcount/seating capacity	Maximum of 8 persons per table; and 60% seating capacity.	Maximum of 4 persons per table; and 60% seating capacity.
   Other requirements	Persons working at the premises or performers must wear masks at all times unless there is an effective partition between the customers and workers or performers.

3. Tighter Restrictions on Scheduled Premises in Hong Kong

   The Hong Kong Business Premises Regulations have also reintroduced Hong Kong Social Distancing Measures for scheduled premises where activities are conducted without wearing masks. The New Hong Kong Social Distancing Measures are summarised below:

   	Party rooms and karaoke establishments	Clubs or nightclubs	Fitness centres
   Mask requirement	Yes, customers are required to wear masks except when they are eating or drinking.		Yes, masks must be worn before and after workouts.
   Distancing	N/A		A 1.5 metre distance between persons or an effective partition between the fitness stations, machines and equipment.
   Headcount/seating capacity	Maximum of 8 persons in each room or in each area separated from the rest of the premises by an effective partition.	The number of customers is limited to 60% of the establishment’s normal seating capacity.	Subject to the requirement below, each group training class is limited to a maximum of 8 people including the coach.
   Other requirements		Persons working at the premises or performers must wear masks at all times except where there is an effective partition between the customers and persons working or performing at the premises.	Group training classes of more than 8 people must be split into groups of 8 and groups must be separated by at least 1.5 metres or effective partitions.

    

   For full details of the New Hong Kong Social Distancing Measures under the Hong Kong Business Premises Regulations, please refer to the HKSAR Government’s announcement.