Coronavirus: Hong Kong’s new ‘vaccine bubble’ arrangement to simultaneously relax, complicate rules for bars and restaurants
- The new arrangement will create different sets of rules – and seating areas – for customers based on their vaccination status and whether they use the government’s risk-exposure app
- While requirements for staff to get vaccinated have also raised concerns, one bar industry group says it will be the lack of inoculated customers that scuppers the sector’s recovery
Secretary for Food and Health Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee announced on Tuesday a series of coming rule changes for the pandemic-battered food and beverage industry under the new bubble, with the measures subject to review after two weeks.
“This vaccine bubble is a very important public health measure so that on one hand, we can have a safe relaxation [of rules], and on the other hand, we can also mitigate the risks associated with the relaxation,” she said
Restaurants, meanwhile, will have varying sets of rules for customers, who will be segregated into different zones based on whether they are vaccinated or not, and whether they use the government’s “Leave Home Safe” risk-exposure app.
App users, for instance, will be allowed to sit six to a table – up from the current four – and enjoy dine-in services until midnight, as opposed to 10pm. However, those who prefer to simply write down their contact details instead of using the app will have to be seated in a separate zone, and will still be limited to groups of four and get the boot at 10pm.
