FEHD and Police continue to take stringent enforcement action relating to anti-epidemic regulations
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     A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (September 19) that the FEHD and the Police have continued to step up their inspections to take stringent enforcement action territory-wide against premises operators, staff and customers in bars/pubs, other catering premises and certain other premises that defy the anti-epidemic regulations, through their respective inspections and joint operations, from September 16 till the small hours today. The spokesman said that given the recent severe epidemic situation, enforcement departments will proactively take stringent enforcement action on an ongoing basis. Premises operators and the public are urged not to defy the law, but to work together to reduce the risk of virus transmission in the community.
 
     The spokesman reminded the parties concerned to strictly comply with the requirements and directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) (Cap. 599F Regulation), the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and more, including the requirements on the Red Code and the Amber Code under the Vaccine Pass and the need for customers of catering premises participating in banquet activities to comply with the rapid antigen test requirement.
 
     The enforcement figures of the FEHD and the Police for the past three days (September 16 to 18) are as follows:
 
  Inspections Prosecution actions initiated against operators of premises Fixed Penalty Notices issued to patrons or staff of premises
Bars/pubs 97 7 55
Other catering premises 1 622 11 9
 
      Moreover, the FEHD and the Police also required the premises to take corresponding measures for reducing the risk of transmission. Premises found with irregularities had to, on the subsequent day after being identified of the irregularities by the enforcement officers, cease selling or supplying food or drink for consumption on the premises from 6pm to 4.59am of the subsequent day, and allow no more than two persons to be seated together at one table, for a period of three, seven or 14 days, or closure of the premises for seven or 14 days. The details of the case numbers are as follows:
 
Corresponding measures for reducing the risk of transmission or closure of premises Bars/pubs Other catering premises
No evening dine-in and restriction of two persons per table for three days 1 3
No evening dine-in and restriction of two persons per table for seven days Not applicable 3
No evening dine-in and restriction of two persons per table for 14 days Not applicable 5
Closure of the premises for seven days 1 Not applicable
Closure of the premises for 14 days 5 Not applicable
 
     If a person responsible for carrying on a catering business contravenes the Cap. 599F Regulation or the requirements and directions of the Vaccine Pass, he or she is liable to be prosecuted and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months. Persons who are present at catering premises or other specified premises must comply with directions applicable to them. Non-compliance with the relevant directions is an offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $10,000, or the liability may be discharged by paying a fixed penalty of $5,000. In addition, customers in breach of the requirement on the maximum number of persons per table within catering premises are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for violating the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G). Persons not wearing a mask when they are not eating or drinking at a table therein are liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000 for contravening the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I). 
 
     To reduce the risk of virus transmission in the community, the spokesman strongly appealed to all sectors of the community again to stay vigilant and comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner. The FEHD has strengthened its publicity efforts and will continue to take stringent enforcement action. All sectors are reminded to exercise self-discipline and co-operate to fight the virus together.

Ends/Monday, September 19, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:30

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