China News Service, Hong Kong, December 21 (Reporter Suo Youwei) The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced on the evening of December 21 that it will continue the social distancing measures under the Prevention and Control of Diseases Ordinance.
These measures will take effect from December 24 for a period of 14 days until January 6, 2021.
A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Food and Health Bureau said: "The COVID-19 epidemic in Hong Kong is at its most severe and critical moment. In order to contain the latest wave of epidemics, even though the government has tightened social distancing measures several times in the past month, the current social Distance measures are already the most rigorous level of the third wave of the epidemic. However, the number of confirmed cases in the past two weeks is still hovering at a daily peak level of about 80 to 100 cases. The seven-day average number of local cases of unknown origin has also remained at 31 cases. There is no obvious sign of a drop in the high position. The gathering activities of the general public have not seen a sharp decline, and even increased due to the approaching of the festival. The crowds of the weekend are everywhere."
The spokesperson said: "Whether the epidemic will worsen, run rampant or gradually decline in the next few weeks will depend on three factors. First, the public should exercise restraint during the winter solstice, Christmas and New Year, and avoid inter-family (referring to non-co-resident families). In between) gatherings, especially those who don’t wear masks for activities, stay in their own homes for the holidays, or use modern video technology to communicate their feelings. The government also strongly urges private employers to respond to the epidemic, continue to arrange for employees to work at home as much as possible, and reduce All unnecessary gathering activities. Second, the public should always maintain proper social distance, maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, be vigilant about common areas in residential buildings and shared facilities in work places, wear masks correctly, and clean their hands at all times to be effective To curb the spread of the virus. Third, the government and the public are working together to stop the recently emerged variant virus from entering the Hong Kong community."
"Considering the latest public health risk assessment, the government will maintain the current restrictions applicable to catering business premises and listed premises, as well as the requirements for group gathering and wearing masks. We will continue to monitor the development of the epidemic closely. There is absolutely no room at this stage. Relaxing any measures, even in response to the development of the epidemic, we do not rule out the need to take further and stricter social distancing measures." The spokesperson said.
Continuing regulations and restrictions include: no more than two people sitting at the same table in catering premises; continued closure of bars or pubs; continued prohibition of gatherings of more than two people in public places.
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