Hong Kong may ease coronavirus control measures after Lunar New Year, but rule on tracking app sparks business fears

Residents can expect to gradually return to normal life after holiday, health authorities say, as they reveal 17 new infections, the fewest in months

Restaurants can offer dine-in service until 10pm, while closed venues can reopen February 18 if situation does not worsen; but customers must use government app

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Residents have been urged to be on their guard against the coronavirus over Lunar New Year to avoid a rebound in cases. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 12:21pm, 10 Feb 2021Updated: 10:15am, 11 Feb 2021

Restaurants can offer dine-in service later into the night with four people allowed per table, while gyms, cinemas and other premises can reopen after the Lunar New Year if the coronavirus situation in Hong Kong remains stable, health authorities have revealed.

But they warned that operators would have to follow new measures to prevent the spread of the disease, including regularly testing employees and requiring patrons to scan the government’s Covid-19 risk exposure app or leave their personal details — a rule industry heads feared could spark arguments with customers who refused to comply.

The easing of social-distancing rules was possible due to the success in minimising infections, officials said, as they confirmed just 17 new cases on Wednesday, the fewest since November 19 when 12 were reported. But a leading health expert cautioned the trend was not changing enough to warrant the relaxations and the caseload could rebound after the festivities.

Hong Kong’s restaurants have been under a strict social-distancing regime for months. Photo: Winson Wong

In unveiling the proposed changes, Secretary for Food and Health Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee was cautiously optimistic the city could turn a corner in the fight against the health crisis.

“If all Hong Kong residents can strictly follow social-distancing measures and practise good hygiene, we hope that we can gradually resume normal lives after the Lunar New Year holiday based on the current pandemic situation,” she said.