Unsure of all the Hong Kong Government restrictions currently active in our city? We’ve curated a list to help you locate all the rules that affect establishments right now.
On Tuesday (December 8), Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced new measures to counter the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong. Daily cases stayed below 50 from mid-August to mid-November, but a sudden spike in the past few weeks has prompted Hong Kong’s Government to implement new restrictions in an effort to keep the virus under control. To help our readers understand the full COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong, Hive Life has compiled a list of all government set restrictions, both new and ongoing, that are currently in place. Much of the information here can also be found on the FAQ section of the government’s COVID-19 website for further clarification.
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Masks
The government requires mandatory mask-wearing when entering terminals, boarding and while onboard public transport, as well as indoor and outdoor public places. If you are caught violating the mask-wearing regulations, the maximum penalty is a fine of $5,000.
Group Gatherings
The maximum number of people allowed to gather in public spaces is two. (December 2)
However, there are certain exceptions: public gatherings for transportation purposes, groups performing governmental activities, groups gathering at a workplace or within a hospital and other healthcare facilities, people who live in the same household, court proceedings, funerals and other occasions for mourning, religious activities are allowed at places of worship (but at no more than 50% of the facilities’ max capacity), business meetings (no more than 20) and weddings (no more than 40).
If people are caught gathering in groups of more than two, they will be fined HKD 25,000. Additionally, anyone who “participates in a prohibited group gathering; organises a prohibited group gathering; owns, controls or operates the place of the gathering; and knowingly allows the gathering” could face up to six months in prison. From December 11 onwards, participants caught in an illegal gathering can be released by paying a fixed penalty of HKD 5,000.
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Restaurants and Dining
Restaurants are currently only permitted to seat a maximum of two customers per table, and dine-in services are required to be suspended from 6pm onwards. Restaurants also have to operate at 50% capacity. (December 8)
If you plan on dining out, expect to fill out health declaration forms and have your temperature taken before entering any restaurant, and remember to wear masks when ordering or picking up food.
Bars, Pubs, and Nightclubs
All bars, pubs, nightclubs, and party rooms will remain closed pending further developments. Dance floors and karaoke lounges are still suspended, and all live performances are prohibited. (December 8)
Gyms, Sports Venues
Gyms had previously been allowed to stay open as long as patrons wore masks while exercising, but Carrie Lam’s announcement will force all fitness centres and sport venues to close temporarily. (December 8)
Hotels and Quarantine
Thinking of booking a staycation? Hotels are still open for bookings, but certain regulations are in place, including limiting the number of people in each room to 4, and requiring all room visitors to register their personal information.
Currently, only Hong Kong residents are allowed to enter the country. People undergoing quarantine in hotels must be allocated rooms on separate floors from regular guests, and citizens undergoing mandatory quarantine are not allowed to leave their rooms at any time during the two-week isolation period. Visitors for guests in quarantine are not allowed.
If a family member or friend of a citizen in quarantine wants to bring something to the quarantined individual, he/she can leave the item at the front desk, and the hotel will arrange for someone to bring the item outside the individual’s door.
Exiting quarantine early is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum imprisonment of six months and a fine of HKD 25,000.
Entertainment Centres
All amusement game centres, places of public entertainment (museums, cinemas, and theme parks), mahjong-tin kau premises and swimming pools remain closed.
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