(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Government today announced that it will further tighten social distancing measures from December 10 for a period of 14 days to discourage members of the public from going out unnecessarily.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan said Hong Kong is experiencing a peak period of the COVID-19 epidemic.

She noted that although the Government has tightened social distancing measures since December 2 to suppress the latest wave of the epidemic, there is no significant reduction of gathering activities in the community.

It is imperative to adopt more stringent measures to discourage members of the public from going out unnecessarily, Prof Chan added.

Under the latest requirements, catering premises must stop selling or supplying food or drink for consumption on their premises from 6pm to 4.59am the subsequent day.

No more than two people may be seated together at one table within any catering premises, and the number of customers must not exceed 50% of the normal seating capacity.

The number of people participating in banquets in catering premises is limited to 20.

Bars or pubs will continue to be closed.

Thirteen types of scheduled premises under the relevant regulation, including amusement game centres, fitness centres, places of amusement and public entertainment, party rooms, beauty parlours, karaoke establishments, massage establishments, sports premises and swimming pools must be closed.

For clubhouses and hotels or guesthouses, managers must comply with the relevant restrictions.

The prohibition on group gatherings of more than two people in public places and the mandatory mask-wearing requirement will continue.

Additionally, in view of the need to continue implementing various infection control measures subject to the epidemic situation in the near future, the Government will extend the expiry dates of various regulations under the Prevention & Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap 599) to March 31, 2021.

Noting that Christmas is approaching, Prof Chan urged the public to stay home to fight the epidemic together, not to dine out so often and avoid unnecessary social activities including private gatherings.

She also encouraged private employers to arrange their employees to work from home as far as possible.