The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) conducted joint operations with the Police today (October 3) to step up inspections at catering business premises (including "Dai Pai Dongs") in Sai Kung and Sham Shui Po districts and remind food business operators and food handlers to strictly comply with the relevant requirements under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), and the public should also comply with the restriction in relation to group gatherings under the anti-epidemic regulation when patronising restaurants.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "According to the directions issued by the Secretary for Food and Health in relation to catering business premises under the Regulation, food business operators and food handlers have to strictly comply with a series of requirements and restrictions. Among these, the number of customers at any premises must not exceed half of its normal seating capacity, no more than four persons may be seated together at one table at catering premises; a mask must be worn at all times within the premises, except when the person is consuming food or drink; and body temperature screening must be conducted before the person is allowed to enter the catering premises and hand sanitisers must be provided. According to the latest amendments of the anti-epidemic regulation and directions, members of the public also have to comply with the related restriction on group gatherings that no more than four persons may be seated at one table at catering premises."

     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. Persons who violate the group gathering restriction of Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition in Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) are subject to a fixed penalty of $2,000.

     "During the operations in Sai Kung and Sham Shui Po districts today, the FEHD inspected some 40 catering business premises and initiated legal proceedings of prosecution against the operators of seven premises. Apart from violating the requirements on the distance between tables, enforcement for violating other legislations on causing public obstruction is also included," the spokesman said.

     The spokesman said that the FEHD will continue to step up inspections at food premises across the territory and conduct joint operations with the Police to ensure that food business operators, food handlers and the public strictly comply with the directions under the regulation and will take enforcement actions against offenders so as to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in food premises.

     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.

Ends/Saturday, October 3, 2020
Issued at HKT 23:10

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