The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department is conducting a full investigation into a banquet held on January 3 at a restaurant in Wan Chai for suspected contravention of anti-epidemic regulations at the banquet.

Confirmed cases and preliminary positive cases of COVID-19 were detected subsequent to the banquet held at a restaurant in Wan Chai on January 3. A large number of attendees have to be quarantined.

The department noted that as preliminary information suggests that there might have been violations of anti-epidemic regulations at the banquet, the Centre for Health Protection has referred the case and relevant information to the department for follow-up. It has immediately launched a full investigation.

The investigation, which covers the operator and restaurant staff, as well as the banquet attendees, aims to ascertain if anyone has breached the regulations, especially the directions under the Prevention & Control of Disease (Requirements & Directions) (Business & Premises) Regulation such as requirements regarding the scanning of the LeaveHomeSafe venue QR code and the wearing of masks.

The restaurant concerned holds a provisional general restaurant licence and is registered for Type D mode of operation.

In view of the epidemic situation, the department has issued letters to operators of catering premises multiple times to remind them to strictly comply with the various anti-epidemic regulations and restrictions, the department said.

The department strongly appealed to these premises operators to remain vigilant, while members of the public also have to comply with the related regulations and directions on group gatherings and mask wearing at catering premises.

The department will step up inspection and enforcement, as well as take stringent enforcement action against people acting in defiance of the legislation.