FEHD continues to take stringent enforcement actions against bars/pubs and other catering premises that defy anti-epidemic regulations
******************************************************************************************
The spokesman reminded parties concerned to remain vigilant and strictly comply with the requirements and directions under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) (the Regulation), the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) etc., including the latest requirement on rapid antigen test (RAT) by customers, with a view to minimising the transmission risk in the community.
The spokesman said, "For the three weekends (i.e. May 21 to June 4) immediately following the re-opening of bars/pubs from May 19, there have been six bars with clusters of infection cases, involving hitherto a total of 368 persons in terms of their primary cases."
The spokesman continued, "From 5am on June 16, customers of premises like bars/pubs are required to present proof of a negative result of an RAT obtained within 24 hours prior to entry. The Government hopes that the public will appreciate the fact that there is ample supply of RAT kits in the market currently; the price is comparatively low; and the public are accustomed to using the RAT kits. Conducting the RAT at home prior to going to premises like bars/pubs should not present too much difficulties for the public and enable oneself and others to enjoy their pastime in a safe environment.”
Over the past three days (June 17 to 19), 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 | 189 | 16 | 76 (including six customers and 20 staff suspected of breaching the relevant RAT requirement) |
| Other catering premises | 1 423 | 11 | 52 (including 11 staff suspected of breaching the relevant RAT requirement) |
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 | 2 | 1 |
| No evening dine-in and restricting to two persons per table for seven days | 1 | 4 |
| No evening dine-in and restricting to two persons per table for 14 days | 1 | 6 |
| Closure of the premises for seven days | 5 | Not applicable |
| Closure of the premises for 14 days | 6 | Not applicable |
If a person responsible for carrying on a catering business contravenes the 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, 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 the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G). For persons not wearing a mask when they are not eating or drinking at a table therein, 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 spokesman added that customers who fail to produce a negative RAT result are subject to be issued with a FPN. For any omission of due diligence checks on the negative RAT results of 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.
To guard against epidemic outbreaks or the arrival of the sixth wave, the spokesman 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. The FEHD has strengthened its publicity efforts and will continue to take stringent enforcement actions. All sectors are reminded to exercise self-discipline and co-operate to fight the virus together.
Ends/Monday, June 20, 2022
Issued at HKT 21:18
Issued at HKT 21:18
NNNN