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Omicron variant: Hong Kong set to require two-thirds of diners in all restaurants to have had coronavirus jab

  • Source says government plans to tighten restrictions on diners by requiring them to be vaccinated with at least one dose of a vaccine
  • Exemptions will be available for those aged 12 or below or people who obtain medical proof they are not fit for vaccination

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The government wants to boost the vaccination rate. Photo: Felix Wong
Hong Kong authorities will require two-thirds of diners in a restaurant to be inoculated against Covid-19 from January at the earliest in a bid to boost vaccinations amid concerns over the Omicron coronavirus variant, the Post has learned.

A source familiar with the arrangement on Monday said the government planned to tighten restrictions on diners by requiring them to have been inoculated with at least one dose of a vaccine. Staff must have received two doses.

This effectively means the measure – which currently applies to 15 per cent of the city’s restaurants that operate under the so-called Type D mode, where a maximum of 12 diners per table is allowed – will be extended to all 16,000 licensed eateries and bars in Hong Kong.

“There are exemptions for those aged 12 or below or those who obtain medical proof that they are not fit for vaccination,” the source said.

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Why is the Omicron variant so concerning? Virologist warns Covid strain could ‘wreak havoc’ in HK

Why is the Omicron variant so concerning? Virologist warns Covid strain could ‘wreak havoc’ in HK

The government and medical experts regard vaccination as being necessary to combat Omicron, which is spreading around the world and is possibly more contagious than the highly infectious Delta variant, although its symptoms so far appear to be mild.

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