10 September 2020

To All Licensees of Food Premises

Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions)
(Business and Premises) Regulation
Latest Directions in relation to Catering Business

Further to the letter on 27 August 2020, the department writes to the food business proprietors and food handlers again in the light of the latest situation of the COVID-19.  The Secretary for Food and Health, pursuant to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), has issued the latest directions through notices published in the Gazette on 8 September 2020 which will take effect from 11 September 2020 to 17 September 2020.

As compared with the prevailing directions that are in force, the maximum number of persons that may be seated together at one table within any catering premises will be lifted from 2 persons to 4 persons.  Mahjong-tin kau facility could be provided in catering premises in accordance with applicable requirements and restrictions.  The other requirements remain the same, including dine-in services must be ceased from 10:00 pm to 4:59 am of the subsequent day; a person must wear a mask at any time within any catering premises, except when the person is consuming food or drink on the premises; body temperature screening on a person must be conducted before the person is allowed to enter the catering premises; and hand sanitisers must be provided at any catering premises for any person at the premises; tables available for use or being used by customers within any catering premises must be arranged in a way to ensure there is a distance of at least 1.5 m or some form of partition which could serve as effective buffer between one table and another table at the premises; the number of customers at any catering premises at any one time when consumption on the premises may be allowed must not exceed 50% of the seating capacity of the premises, etc.  Live performance and dancing must not be allowed in any catering premises.  All karaoke activities at any catering premises must be suspended.  Bars, pubs and bar areas must be closed.  Please refer to the Appendix  for details.

As an important part of the community's efforts in fighting the virus, we strongly appeal to food business operators and food handlers for implementing the above measures and guidelines in a concerted and persistent manner.  We would take stringent enforcement actions against offenders in defiance of relevant legislation on prevention and control of disease as well as environmental hygiene and food safety issues.