Social distancing to be eased

April 27, 2021

Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan:
Regarding public gatherings, as I have earlier told everyone, the relaxation (of social distancing measures) that we are talking about must be a safe relaxation so that we can make everybody's life resume to its normality as far as possible (while having) the responsibility to protect the health of our public. Therefore, any relaxation would have to be gradual and progressive. At the same time, we are also monitoring the situation.

Now that we have enough or adequate (vaccines) provided for the people in Hong Kong, therefore this “vaccine bubble” is a very important public health measure so that we can have a safe relaxation and also mitigate the risk associated with the relaxation.

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Government today announced the relaxation of social distancing measures with the "vaccine bubble" as the basis, which will take effect from April 29 to May 12.

Announcing the relaxed measures at a media session this afternoon, Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan said six types of premises which are currently required to be closed, including bars or pubs, clubs or nightclubs, bathhouses, party rooms, karaoke establishments and mahjong-tin kau premises can resume operation if they can fulfil the requirements under the "vaccine bubble".

On group gatherings, the number of people allowed in wedding ceremonies, shareholders' annual meetings of listed companies and religious activities will be increased if all participants aged 16 or above have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Local tours of not more than 30 people, including frontline working staff, can also be resumed if the relevant staff have received their first vaccine dose.

There is an exception for those who due to health reasons have declared such a condition to the travel agents via producing a medical certificate and providing proof of a negative nucleic acid test result within seven days prior to receiving the group tours.

Prof Chan explained that the relaxation of social distancing measures will be carried out in a gradual and progressive manner.

"The relaxation of social distancing measures that we are talking about must be a safe relaxation so that we can make everybody's life resume to its normality as far as possible while having the responsibility to protect the health of our public. Therefore, any relaxation would have to be gradual and progressive. At the same time, we are also monitoring the situation.

"Now that we have enough or adequate vaccines provided for the people in Hong Kong, therefore this 'vaccine bubble' is a very important public health measure so that we can have a safe relaxation and also mitigate the risk associated with the relaxation."