Hong Kong to suspend dinner dine-in service for a week

As confirmed Covid cases surge, the Hong Kong government has announced new social distancing measures, including a ban on dine-in service at restaurants between 6pm and 5am.

On 14 July, Hong Kong recorded 52 new cases of Covid-19, 41 of which were infected locally. Since worries about the third wave of the pandemic keep growing, the government has decided to tighten social distancing regulations again, further to the measures announced on 9 July.

Since some cases were found to be related to restaurants, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, said the new round of measures target eateries.

This includes tightening the gathering limits again, allowing only four people instead of eight per table in restaurants. Public gatherings have also been scaled back to four people.

For the first time, the government is banning dine-in service from 6pm until 5am the following day. Bars and pubs must close during that time, as well as 12 other types of premises, including gyms, karaoke lounges and amusement parks. At least four fairs and expos in July have been postponed, including the Hong Kong Book Fair, which attracts around one million people every year.

All measures will be effective from midnight on 15 July and remain in place for a week.

Hong Kong has reported 1,522 confirmed Covid-19 cases and eight deaths.