FEHD to stringently enforce requirements on prohibiting entry of customers or visitors with Red Code or Amber Code to catering businesses
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The spokesman urged members of the public and premises operators to strictly comply with the requirements and directions of the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F). A customer or visitor with a Red Code or an Amber Code who fails to comply with the requirements applicable to him or her, including entering catering premises, commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000, or the associated liability may be discharged by paying a fixed penalty of $5,000. An operator of a catering premises must prohibit such a customer or visitor with a Red Code or an Amber Code from entering the premises, otherwise he or she is liable to be prosecuted and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
The Government announced earlier the addition of the Red Code and the Amber Code in the Vaccine Pass to differentiate persons with higher risk of COVID-19 infection. There was an adaptation period of 14 days after the new measure took effect to allow the operators/persons-in-charge of catering premises and other premises subject to "active checking" of the Vaccine Pass to get prepared, including to update their "QR Code Verification Scanner" mobile app to the latest version (version 4.4.0 or above) as soon as possible before August 12 and to ensure their mobile devices with the "QR Code Verification Scanner" could be connected to the Internet (either through Wi-Fi or data card) no later than August 23 when the premises are opened for business.
Apart from hosting a webinar for catering businesses earlier, the FEHD has also explained to and assisted operators of catering premises on the latest arrangements via advisory letter and routine inspection, and updated its thematic webpage (including the FAQs) to remind catering premises operators to strictly comply with the various anti-epidemic regulations and restrictions. Moreover, the spokesman also reminded members of the public to comply with the related regulations and directions on group gatherings and mask wearing at catering premises in order to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the community.
Ends/Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Issued at HKT 15:17
Issued at HKT 15:17
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