In response to media enquiries regarding the bar or pub mode of operation in the latest specifications and directions issued by the Secretary for Food and Health in relation to catering business under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (June 11) that to tie in with the implementation of relevant requirements, the FEHD has uploaded to its thematic webpage some frequently asked questions (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/events/covid19/vaccine_bubble_faq_bar.html) on the first day (June 10) of the specified period, with the key points as follows.
　
If a bar/pub ceases to operate as a bar/pub (i.e. exclusively or mainly used for the sale or supply of intoxicating liquors for consumption in the premises) and changes to operate a business that mainly provides meals (the drinks sold or supplied should mainly be non-alcoholic and the liquors served are only incidental when having meals) during the specified period, the premises may then choose to operate under a catering business mode of operation (i.e. type A, B, C or D). The premises must make the decision upon the commencement of the specified period. If the premises was required to take measures to reduce the risk of transmission due to non-compliance with the relevant requirements previously, it must make the decision after those measures required to be taken have been completed. Once it has so decided to operate in a catering business mode of operation, it may not change to operate in a bar/pub mode of operation during the specified period.
Similarly, once having taken a decision to operate in a bar/pub mode of operation, the premises cannot change to operate in a catering business mode of operation during the specified period.
In addition, if a bar/pub chooses to operate in a catering business mode of operation, it is still subject to regulation by its food business licence or the relevant instrument. The types of food that may be sold must be those that are permitted under its licence or the relevant instrument.
Catering premises and bars/pubs must display a notice with the specifications and content specified under the Cap. 599F directions round-the-clock at the entrance of its premises during the specified period. Templates of the relevant notices may be downloaded at the FEHD's thematic webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/events/covid19/vaccine_bubble_download.html).
The spokesman stressed that the above measures should not be regarded as relaxation arrangements, and strongly appealed to operators of catering premises and bars/pubs to comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner. The FEHD will step up inspections, and, if non-compliance is detected, will take stringent enforcement actions.
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