Coronavirus: all patrons at Hong Kong restaurants, bathhouses, entertainment venues must use ‘Leave Home Safe’ app from December 9
- ‘Cruise to nowhere’ capacity increased to 75 per cent, up from current 50
- Players in catering sector call for lifting of all business restrictions since wider use of the app is expected to shore up protection in the city against Covid-19
All patrons of restaurants, bathhouses and entertainment venues in Hong Kong will be required to use the government’s Covid-19 contact-tracing app from December 9, as part of a bid by authorities to facilitate the reopening of the border with mainland China.
Confirming an earlier report by the Post on mandatory use of the “Leave Home Safe” app at eateries, the Food and Health Bureau on Tuesday said the rule would also cover party rooms, night clubs, and karaoke and mahjong parlours.
In a separate move, capacity for the city’s “cruises to nowhere” packages would from December 1 be increased to 75 percent, up from the existing 50 per cent.
“We will continue our communications with the relevant sectors in the next two weeks to ensure smooth sailing of the new measures,” a government spokesman said. “We call on the public to be cooperative with the relevant requirements to enhance Hong Kong’s anti-pandemic drive.”
He added that authorities would examine other efforts to enhance the city’s vaccination rate, which stood at about 70 per cent.
Lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun had earlier on Tuesday revealed he had knowledge of the December 9 launch date. “Since the beginning of the month, more of the elderly have downloaded the app as it is required to enter government premises and wet markets,” he said.