2022-02-08 HKT 16:09
The government on Tuesday announced Hong Kong's toughest social distancing rules to date, including a ban on private gatherings of more than two families.
A cap on gatherings in public places will also be tightened from four people to two.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam also announced that from February 24, people will have to be vaccinated if they want to go into shopping malls, supermarkets, department stores, markets, hair salons and religious venues.
This "vaccine pass" requirement was already planned for other places, including restaurants, gyms and beauty parlours.
"Our measures need to be very strong so we can boost the vaccination rate within this period to prevent serious cases and protect Hong Kong's medical system... We are making it inconvenient for the unjabbed... if they don't get vaccinated, they will have much fewer choices," Lam said.
Law enforcement officers will carry out spot checks at places like shopping malls and supermarkets, she added.
The CE said religious venues and hair salons will have to close from Thursday until February 24.
Lam said the vaccine pass will not be required on public transport yet, as people need to use it for essential daily activities.
But she said the health secretary could order public transport to be covered by the vaccine pass scheme if the Covid situation becomes more serious.
Lam also announced that a fine on anyone who violates a mandatory testing order will be doubled to HK$10,000.
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