HK could relax ban on groups of over 4 at restaurant table

Hong Kongs ban on groups of more than four per table in restaurants amid the COVID-19 pandemic could be relaxed to eight under a government proposal endorsed by public health advisers, a media report said on Sunday."The relaxation could allow more flexibility for some restaurants as we see the local situation coming under more control," a source was quoted by the SCMP newspaper as saying.

Hong Kongs ban on groups of more than four per table in restaurants amid the COVID-19 pandemic could be relaxed to eight under a government proposal endorsed by public health advisers, a media report said on Sunday.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) report quoted sources familiar with the situation as saying that the administration was also mulling the reopening of some premises, subject to precautionary measures.

The four-person table rule and ban on certain businesses will expire on May 7.

But the resumption of operations for karaoke lounges and bars, where infection risks were higher, was not on the cards.

"The relaxation could allow more flexibility for some restaurants as we see the local situation coming under more control," a source was quoted by the SCMP newspaper as saying.

"But there is still need for social distancing in general."

The proposal was discussed in a government meeting with medical experts on Saturday.

It was agreed that the spread of the coronavirus locally was slowing down, and therefore some social-distancing measures, such as limiting restaurant patrons to only four per table, could be relaxed this week.

A large number of venues including gyms, cinemas and bars have been closed on government orders since March 28, and public gatherings of more than four have also been banned.

The development comes as Hong Kong recorded no new coronavirus cases on Saturday, the sixth time in seven days that there were no fresh infections, with the city's total at 1,039.

( With inputs from IANS )