[Commentary] On May 5, the Hong Kong SAR Government announced that in view of the mitigation of the epidemic, a number of epidemic prevention and control measures will be relaxed, and fitness centers, theaters, beauty salons and other places will resume operations; Classes are resumed in stages.
[Commentary] The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Lin Zhengyue, said at the press conference that the two regulations that expired on May 7 and regulated the catering industry and banned group gatherings will be extended from 14th to May 21st. But at the same time, some control measures will be relaxed.
[Same period] Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Lin Zheng Yue'e
At the same time, we will relax some of the control measures, including: first, the maximum number of people on the same table in the catering premises will be relaxed from the current 4 people to 8 people, and other regulations will remain unchanged; the second measure is that the following 7 Commercial premises that were closed earlier can be reopened. They include game console centers, fitness centers, playgrounds, public entertainment venues including theaters, beauty salons, massage parlours, and Mahjong Tianjiu entertainment venues.
[Explanation] Lin Zhengyue said that these places still need to comply with some regulations after resuming business, such as the limited number of seats in the theater, and the beauticians in the beauty salon must take extra protection measures while working. In addition, the bar will also resume business, but no music or dance performances. Karaoke, nightclubs, party rooms and other places will continue to close. The ban on group gathering in public places will also be relaxed from 4 to 8.
[Commentary] Lin Zhengyue also announced that the school will resume classes in stages on May 27. Regarding cross-border schoolchildren, Yang Runxiong, Director of the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, said that if the mandatory quarantine arrangement on the 14th is still in effect during the resumption of classes, there is already a legal basis allowing him to apply for an exemption to the Chief Secretary for Administration in accordance with the law regarding the situation of cross-border schoolchildren. Prior to this, detailed discussions with the mainland authorities were required.
[Same period] Yang Runxiong, Director of the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government
We are now discussing with the mainland authorities the facilitation measures for Hong Kong people to cross the border. We will also consider how to ensure that 27,000 cross-border schoolchildren and related personnel can travel between Shenzhen and Hong Kong without affecting the epidemic prevention work of the two places.
Reporter Li Waner and Chen Haonan from Hong Kong
Editor in charge: [Liu Xian]