FEHD takes stringent enforcement actions relating to anti-epidemic regulations and joins inter-departmental joint operations during Easter holidays
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A total of 92 catering premises were inspected during the joint operations, and 894 catering premises and 145 other premises were inspected by the FEHD on its own in the past two days. The FEHD initiated procedures on prosecution against 10 catering business operators suspected of breaching the requirements under the Regulation (among them, three were related to failure to ensure that customers scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code or register their names, contact numbers and the dates and times of their visits before the persons are allowed to enter the premises, the remaining were related to distance or partition between tables, mask wearing and failure to arrange all staff to undergo COVID-19 test once every 14 days). Since the relevant requirements or restrictions were not adopted, on the subsequent day of being identified by the enforcement agent, corresponding measures for reducing the risk of transmission (i.e. selling or supplying food or drink for consumption on the premises must be ceased from 6pm to 4.59am of the subsequent day, and no more than two persons may be seated together at one table) had to be taken by the premises for periods of three (two cases), seven (two cases) and 14 days (six cases).
According to the current directions issued by the Secretary for Food and Health in relation to catering premises under the Regulation, if a person responsible for carrying on a catering business adopts a series of infection control measures, the premises can provide dine-in service until 9.59pm and no more than four persons may be seated together at one table. Some of the scheduled premises such as places of public entertainment may be open when the relevant requirements and restrictions are fulfilled. If a person responsible for carrying on a catering business or scheduled premises contravenes the regulations under the Regulation, he or she is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
In addition, customers within catering premises in breach of the requirement on maximum number of persons seated together at one table are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for violating the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) while customers not wearing a mask when they are not eating or drinking at a table therein or they are not eating or drinking otherwise are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for contravening the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I).
To minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19, the spokesman strongly appealed to catering business operators to comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner. He also reminded the operators concerned and members of the public to exercise self-discipline and co-operate to fight the virus together.
Ends/Sunday, April 4, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:30
Issued at HKT 19:30
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