Hong Kong lunchtime protesters return after coronavirus social-distancing rules are eased but police quickly disperse group in mall with pepper spray

Shortly after dozens of anti-government demonstrators begin yelling slogans and belting out their anthem, police officers enter the IFC Mall in Central

Police also issue fixed penalty tickets of HK$2,000 to some for breaching social-distancing rule on public gatherings

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Diners enjoy lunch as protesters chant slogans in the IFC Mall. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 8:06pm, 8 May 2020Updated: 4:20pm, 11 Sep 2020

Police dispersed lunchtime protesters with pepper spray in an upscale Hong Kong shopping centre just 12 hours after the government relaxed some coronavirus social-distancing measures and allowed people to gather in groups of eight on Friday.

Shortly after dozens of anti-government demonstrators began yelling slogans and belting out their anthem, officers entered the IFC Mall in Central to cordon off their protest site, forcing the Apple store to lower its shutters.

Later, police used pepper spray to disperse protesters, with some people in press vests also hit.

A group of police officers surrounded one man before he was wrestled to the ground. He sprang back to his feet with a bloody nose.

Some in yellow press vests were also hit with pepper spray. Photo: Bloomberg

Police also issued fixed penalty tickets of HK$2,000 (US$256) to some for breaching a social-distancing rule on public gatherings that came into effect in late March.