To: Licensees/Persons-in-charge of swimming pool / commercial bathhouse / places of public entertainment or Permittees /Persons-in-charge of Karaoke Establishment
29 December 2022
Dear Sir/Madam,
Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions)
(Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F)
Latest Directions in relation to Scheduled Premises
In light of the epidemic development, the Secretary for Health has issued the latest directions for the scheduled premises under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) on 28 December 2022. The said directions have taken effect from 0:00 am on 29 December 2022, for a period of 14 days till 11 January 2023. Please refer to Annex for details. The latest directions include removing the Vaccine Pass requirement and lifting social distancing measures except mask-wearing etc.
Lifting the Vaccine Pass requirement
Since the launch of the Vaccine Pass, it has effectively encouraged citizens to get vaccinated and raised the vaccination rate. The Government has removed the statutory Vaccine Pass requirement under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L). That means it is not required to check the vaccination records for persons entering scheduled premises.
Lifting social distancing measures except mask-wearing
Considering the latest epidemic development and citizens' aspiration for resuming normal daily lives, the Government has lifted major social distancing measures except mask-wearing, including the restrictions and requirements in relation to the operation of scheduled premises under Cap. 599F (e.g. the maximum number of persons allowed in each group, distancing requirements between groups, closure of facilities such as steam and sauna facilities, requirements for staff of premises to undergo RATs, etc.), and restriction in relation to group gatherings in public places under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G). In other words, customers or users are still required to continue to wear a mask in accordance with the existing requirements when they are at scheduled premises under Cap. 599F.
On the premise of safeguarding public health, the Government has been striving to balance the social and economic needs in suitably adjusting social distancing measures such that citizens' daily lives may resume normal in an orderly manner.
It is important that licensees and operators of premises stay vigilant and comply with the latest directions in a concerted and persistent manner. The FEHD will take stringent enforcement actions against people in breach of the legislation on prevention and control of diseases and environmental hygiene issues.