FEHD continues to take stringent enforcement actions relating to anti-epidemic regulations
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The FEHD also inspected 542 catering premises including bars/pubs and 225 other premises yesterday (June 14) and conducted joint operations with the Police during the period. These included a total of five karaoke establishments in Wan Chai District and Mong Kok District. Among these, the FEHD initiated procedures on prosecution against the operator of a karaoke establishment in Mong Kok District for breaching the directions on scheduled premises made under the Regulation for failing to ensure that all customers have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The premises has to take, on the subsequent day of being identified by the enforcement officers, corresponding measures for reducing the risk of transmission (i.e. closure of the premises) for 14 days. The FEHD also initiated procedures on prosecution against a catering business operator suspected of breaching the requirements made under the directions under the Regulation, namely distance or partition between tables. Since the relevant requirements or restrictions were not adopted, the premises has to take, on the subsequent day of being identified by the enforcement officers, 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) for seven days.
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 being prosecuted and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
The FEHD spokesman stressed that persons who are present at any premises of a catering business or any scheduled premises must comply with directions applicable to them. Non-compliance with the relevant directions would be an offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $10,000. The liability may be discharged by paying a fixed penalty of $5,000. The directions include requiring customers patronising bars/pubs, karaoke establishments or night establishments/night clubs to have received the first COVID-19 vaccine dose.
For customers in breach of the requirement on the maximum number of persons per table within catering premises, they are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for violating Cap. 599G. For customers not wearing a mask when they are eating or drinking not at a table therein or they are not eating or drinking, they are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for contravening the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I).
The FEHD will continue to step up law enforcement on all types of premises and inspect staff's and customers' records of receiving vaccination, as well as conduct joint operations with the Police. These will include bars/pubs, karaoke establishments and night establishments/night clubs. Stringent enforcement actions will be taken against offenders.
To minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19, the spokesman strongly appealed to operators and staff members of all premises as well as member of the public to comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner, and not to defy and break the law.
Ends/Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Issued at HKT 21:15
Issued at HKT 21:15
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