Coronavirus: debate rages over ‘unclear’ social-distancing rules at Hong Kong nightclubs after clusters found at 2 venues; city logs 275 cases
- Industry says grey areas in restrictions mean some operators were unclear on whether disc jockeys playing music constituted live performances
- Reports have surfaced that some revellers at affected venues were not wearing masks
The debate on coronavirus measures at such venues intensified on Monday as 19 more cases were recorded in the two infection clusters in the Lan Kwai Fong clubbing district, bringing the tally to 43.
Local media reported disc jockeys were hired to play music and patrons without masks had been dancing at the two affected nightclubs, sparking discussion on whether the operators had violated the rules.
Health officials on Monday confirmed 275 coronavirus infections, including 48 imported ones, as well as two more related deaths. The city’s Covid-19 tally now stands at 1,212,370 cases, with 9,378 related fatalities.
The development came as officials prepared to roll out the third stage of the vaccine pass scheme on Tuesday, where most residents will need three jabs to enter premises unless they already had their second dose or recovered from a Covid-19 infection less than six months ago.
Officials revealed on Monday that about 10 per cent of more than 100,000 premises had not updated their risk-exposure app, used to verify customers’ “Leave Home Safe” vaccine records upon entry. They will have to update it on Tuesday to admit customers for their business operations.
Anthea Cheung So-may, director of business group Lan Kwai Fong Association, maintained the industry had been complying with regulations, but the government did not say whether disc jockeys fell under the category of live performances until after inquiries from the sector.