A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) reminds operators of catering businesses to pay attention to the new directions regarding the tightened social distancing measures which will take effect from today (February 10), especially the "vaccine pass" requirements for catering premises of Type D Mode of Operation.
The Government announced on February 8 that it will tighten social distancing measures in view of the development of the COVID-19 epidemic situation in Hong Kong. The latest specifications and directions to be issued by the Secretary for Food and Health in relation to catering business under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599) and Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) will be effective from today. At the same time, the Government announced in advance that a new "vaccine pass" arrangement would be implemented in full on all catering and scheduled premises from February 24. A spokesman for the FEHD appealed to operators of catering businesses to observe the relevant arrangements and strictly comply with relevant requirements and directions. Customers patronising catering premises are also required to comply with the various anti-epidemic regulations and restrictions, including the requirements on group gatherings and wearing of masks.
"Vaccine pass" is an important anti-epidemic measure, and will, ahead of its full implementation on other premises, first be implemented with effect from today on Type D catering premises. Persons aged 12 or above, unless for medical reasons have been issued with a COVID-19 Vaccination Medical Exemption Certificate, must have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine before entering Type D catering premises.
In addition, according to the new directions, from today until February 23, all catering business must cease selling or supplying food or drink for consumption on the premises from 6pm to 4.59am of the subsequent day, and close any premises, or part of the premises (whichever is applicable), on which food or drink is sold or supplied by the business for consumption on the premises. The premises concerned may still sell or supply food and/or drink for takeaway services and deliveries. A person responsible for carrying on a catering business is also required to put up a notice at the entrance to the catering premises to remind customers that food or drink should not be consumed in areas adjacent to the catering premises. For catering premises under Types B and C Modes of Operation, the maximum number of persons per table will be two. The maximum number of persons per table for catering premises under Type D Mode of Operation will be four, and all of them must have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The maximum numbers of customers per catering premises under Types B, C and D Modes of Operation are 50 per cent, 75 per cent and 100 per cent of the capacity limit of the premises respectively. No banquet will be allowed for all catering premises.
As regards staff involved in the operation of the business on the premises, staff at catering premises of Types C and D Modes of Operation, unless for medical reasons have been issued with a COVID-19 Vaccination Medical Exemption Certificate, must have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and completed the vaccination course respectively. Hence, the FEHD spokesman strongly appeals to the operator of catering premises under Types B and C Modes of Operation to make necessary arrangement for their staff to vaccinate as soon as possible, so as the business can meet the requirements and continue to operate when "vaccine pass" comes into effect on February 24.
Under the directions, no live performance and dancing activity will be allowed in catering premises. Karaoke or mahjong-tin kau activity should also be suspended therein. Other requirements and restrictions on catering premises will remain in force, including that all customers, when they are away from the table, must not consume food or drink and must wear a mask; all customers must scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code using the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application on their mobile phones/other mobile devices before entering the premises (excluding persons who only order takeaway); tables must be arranged in a way to ensure there is a distance of at least 1.5 metres or some form of partition which could serve as an effective buffer between one table and another table; body temperature screening must be conducted before the person is allowed to enter the catering premises; and hand sanitisers must be provided.
On the other hand, bars or pubs must be closed. Scheduled premises, including bathhouses, places of public entertainment, clubs or nightclubs, karaoke establishments and swimming pools, must suspend operation.
In addition, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) has launched the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app version 3.0.2 for easy display of vaccination QR codes, and for supporting the saving and display of COVID-19 Vaccination Medical Exemption Certificate. The "QR Code Verification Scanner" mobile application has also been updated accordingly. Operators of relevant premises should update the mobile application and use the latest version (version 4.1.0 for both Android mobile devices and iOS mobile devices). The spokesman advises the operators to familiarise themselves with the operation of the mobile application and install the relevant devices as early as possible before February 24.
The Government will host a webinar at 3pm today on the technical aspects of using and checking the "vaccine pass" on mobile phones. Premises operators may login to the website (emsd-gov-hk.zoom.us/j/96821103972?pwd=aENaSDc0NGV2QWdpN3d0TElTRythUT09) on a first-come-first-served basis. The footage of the webinar will also be uploaded to the thematic website "Together, We Fight the Virus" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html), the OGCIO's website (www.ogcio.gov.hk/en/) and the FEHD's thematic webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/events/covid19/vaccine_bubble.html).
The spokesman said the FEHD will issue advisory letters to operators of catering premises on the latest arrangements and update its relevant thematic webpage (including for Type D Mode of Operation, the categories of persons required to complete a declaration form and the template of such a declaration form). The FEHD reminds them to strictly comply with the various anti-epidemic regulations and restrictions. Members of the public also have to comply with the related regulations and directions on group gatherings and mask wearing at catering premises.
Follow this news feed: East Asia