FEHD reminds operators of bars/pubs and other catering businesses to continue to comply with anti-epidemic regulations
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The spokesman reminded operators of bars/pubs, other catering premises, and relevant scheduled premises to stay vigilant, and strictly comply with the requirements and directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), etc., including the latest requirement on rapid antigen test (RAT). Customers must also comply with the various anti-epidemic regulations and restrictions, including the requirements on vaccination, group gatherings and the wearing of masks.
The spokesman reiterated that the new requirement on RAT result has already come into effect. Before a patron enters a bar/pub, club/nightclub or bar/pub zone of catering premises, he/she must present photo of a negative RAT result obtained within 24 hours before entry. Patron's name, day and time of taking the RAT shall be indicated on the RAT kit. The photo of the testing kit should be saved in the patron's mobile phone for checking by the operators before entry, and for inspection by authorised officers upon request. The requirement is not applicable to customers not entering the bar/pub zone in catering premises.
The spokesman stressed, "Patrons should not present the actual testing kit with the test conducted, nor conduct RAT on the spot on grounds of epidemic prevention considerations. Transmission risks may be posed to other persons present if they come across positive cases. We strongly advise patrons not to adopt such practice and the trade not to allow patrons to conduct the RAT after having entered the premises."
The spokesman added that customers are also advised to pay attention to the following scenarios:
1. those deciding to operate in the mode of operation as a bar or pub are required to display a notice meeting specified specifications round-the-clock at the entrance of its premises (its dine-in hours would end at 2am); and
2. for other catering premises where a bar or pub zone is provided, they are also required to display a notice meeting specified specifications round-the-clock at the entrance of its premises and near the bar or pub zone (the dine-in hours of the bar or pub zone and the catering premises would end simultaneously at 0am).
The FEHD has issued advisory letters to operators of catering business premises reminding them to pay attention to the latest requirements and directions. In addition, the FEHD has also updated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of bars/pubs in its Vaccine Pass thematic webpage earlier to set out the circumstances to which the new requirement of RAT are applicable, conditions and requirements for catering premises to opt for the mode of operation of bars/pubs or catering businesses etc., for reference by relevant operators and patrons. For details, please browse the following webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/events/covid19/vaccine_bubble_faq.html).
The spokesman added that customers who fail to produce a negative RAT result are subject to be issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN). For any omission of due diligence checks on the negative RAT results of the customers, operators of the premises will be held criminally liable and required to adopt corresponding measures to reduce the risk of transmission starting from the subsequent day of being identified of the irregularities by the enforcement officers, which is to close the premises for 14 days.
Over the past week (June 10 to 16), the enforcement figures of the FEHD and the Police are as follows:
| Inspections | Prosecution actions initiated against operator of premises | Fixed Penalty Notices issued to patrons or staff of the premises | |
| Bars/pubs | 686 | 35 | 100 |
| Other catering premises | 3 821 | 19 | 11 |
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 of 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:
| To take corresponding measures for reducing the risk of transmission or closure of premises |
Bars/pubs | Other catering premises |
| No evening dine-in and restricting to two persons per table for three days | 8 | 9 |
| No evening dine-in and restricting to two persons per table for seven days | 5 | 2 |
| No evening dine-in and restricting to two persons per table for 14 days | 4 | 8 |
| Closure of the premises for seven days | 4 | Not applicable |
| Closure of the premises for 14 days | 14 | Not applicable |
Since the requirement of RAT for patrons came into effect from 5am of June 16 till now, no violation has yet been detected by the FEHD and the Police.
The spokesman reminded that other requirements and restrictions on catering premises and bars/pubs remain in force, for example, while away from the table, all customers must not consume food or drink, and must wear a mask. The maximum number of persons per table at bars/pubs (i.e. exclusively or mainly used for the sale or supply of intoxicating liquors for consumption in the premises) is four while the maximum number of persons per table at other catering premises is eight, etc. Live performance and dancing activity are not allowed in catering premises and bars/pubs.
The spokesman reiterated that to guard against outbreaks or the arrival of the sixth wave, the FEHD and the Police will continue to step up inspections and conduct joint operations, so as to take stringent enforcement actions against operators, staff and customers of bars/pubs, other catering businesses and certain scheduled premises who defy anti-epidemic regulations. The spokesman also strongly appealed to all sectors of the community to stay vigilant and comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner.
Ends/Friday, June 17, 2022
Issued at HKT 23:42
Issued at HKT 23:42
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