New hygiene standards for Hong Kong tourism businesses aimed at getting out message city is safe to visit despite Covid-19 pandemic
- Tourism board says new accreditation programme seeks to involve hotels, restaurants, malls and attractions
- Participating businesses will have to undergo random compliance checks and could be delisted for failing to adhere to standards
The rules include requiring restaurants to ensure enough ventilation to change their air six times per hour, staff at eateries and retail shops handling cash to clean their hands or change their gloves before performing other duties, and hotels to disinfect lift buttons every two hours during the day. The standards were drafted with reference to health authorities’ recommendations and how firms operate on a regular basis.
Companies deemed in compliance with the measures will be certified, allowing them to display the scheme’s logo.
The board, which co-launched the programme with the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency on Thursday, said more than 1,800 businesses had already expressed an interest in registering, including Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, as well as shopping malls.
“Many international travel and tourism organisations have already put in place hygiene and anti-epidemic guidelines, and standardising hygiene measures for each sector can spread to visitors the message that different sectors across Hong Kong value their commitment to hygiene and safety,” board chairman Pang Yiu-kai said.