​The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (October 2) reminded catering business operators and food handlers again to strictly comply with the directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), and the public should also comply with relevant anti-epidemic regulations when patronising restaurants. The FEHD will continue to step up inspections at food premises in various districts and take enforcement actions against offenders so as to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in food premises.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The latest directions issued by the Secretary for Food and Health in relation to catering business premises under the Regulation and the related legislative amendments have already come into effect, under which food business operators and food handlers have to continue to comply with a series of requirements and restrictions. Members of the public also have to comply with the related regulation on group gatherings at catering premises."

     "The FEHD inspected over 1 250 catering business premises yesterday (October 1) and today. No violation of related regulation on group gatherings at catering premises is observed, but legal proceedings of prosecution were initiated against the operators of more than ten premises. These are mainly about violating the requirements on the distance between tables and wearing a mask at all times within the premises except when consuming food or drink," the spokesman said.

     "The FEHD will continue to strengthen manpower deployment to step up inspections at food premises in various districts across the territory, and conduct joint operations with the Police to ensure that the relevant requirements and restrictions under the Regulations are complied with."

     The FEHD spokesman appealed to food business operators and food handlers to comply with the relevant Regulation on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner, with a view to keeping workers, customers and the public safe. Under the Regulation, licensees and operators of food premises must strictly comply with the series of requirements and restrictions. Contravening the requirements and restrictions is a criminal offence. Offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     The spokesman also appealed to the public to comply with the relevant restriction on group gatherings and cooperate to facilitate compliance with the relevant anti-epidemic measures when patronising restaurants. In the premises, members of the public must wear a mask except when eating or drinking, maintain social distancing at all times, and avoid sharing of tables as far as possible. In addition, they must not consume food or drink in areas adjacent to the premises.

Ends/Friday, October 2, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:17

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