2022-01-14 HKT 18:42
Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced on Friday that the current anti-pandemic restrictions in place will be extended for another two weeks to February 3, which is the third day of the Chinese New Year.
The measures include a ban on night-time dining-in at restaurants and the closure of entertainment venues such as cinemas, karaokes, gyms and mahjong parlours.
Large-scale events, such as the annual Lunar New Year fairs across the city, as well as celebrations organised by the Tourism Board, will also be cancelled.
Passenger flights from eight countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and the Philippines, meanwhile, will continue to be suspended.
The CE said she understands that many people and businesses will be disappointed with the extension of the measures, but the move is needed to curb the latest Covid outbreak.
“The risks are still here,” she stressed.
Lam said if the pandemic situation improves in the coming weeks, the government will consider easing the restrictions gradually from February 4.
Beauty parlours, for example, may be allowed to reopen.
However, she said these venues would have to operate under the “vaccine bubble” arrangement, meaning only people who have received Covid jabs will be allowed to enter.
Meanwhile, the CE said businesses and individuals affected by the latest restrictions can apply for the government’s fifth round of anti-epidemic funding from Monday.
Restaurants, gyms and beauty parlours, for example, will be eligible for the financial help.
Other industries that have not yet recovered from the pandemic, such as the tourism sector, will also be entitled to funds.
Carrie Lam says if the pandemic situation improves in the coming weeks, the government will consider gradually easing the anti-Covid measures from February 4. Photo: RTHK
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