The first stage of the adjustments to social distancing measures will take effect on April 21, the Government announced today.

The decision was made as the COVID-19 epidemic situation has substantially been alleviated in a continuous manner since March, with various monitoring indicators showing a consistently downward trend in epidemic activity, it explained in a press release.

Under the first stage, catering premises’ dine-in service hours can be extended until 9.59pm. The maximum number of people per table will be increased from two to four and banquets with no more than 20 people will be allowed. All staff must conduct a rapid antigen test (RAT) every three days before entering the premises.

Bars or pubs, however, will remain closed for the time being.

Most scheduled premises regulated under the Prevention & Control of Disease (Requirements & Directions) (Business & Premises) Regulation may reopen, but in general they will remain subject to restrictions of allowing patrons in groups of four without exceeding 50% of the venue’s capacity.

Those allowed to reopen include sports premises (indoor and outdoor venues), fitness centres, beauty parlours and massage establishments, places of public entertainment (including cinemas), places of amusement, amusement game centres, event premises and religious premises. Team sports may also take place.

The Government will propose to the Executive Council to raise the number of people allowed in group gatherings in public places from two to four, it said.

Meanwhile, upon fulfilling two conditions, the Government will permit the resumption of local group tours with no more than 30 people. First, the relevant staff must have received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and conducted a RAT on the same day before the commencement of local group tour activities. Second, all tour participants have to satisfy the prevailing Vaccine Pass requirements.

If all tour participants have conducted a RAT on the same day before the tour, the tour size can be relaxed to 100 people.

As for cinemas, while patrons are generally not allowed to eat or drink, such a restriction may be lifted in an individual house of a cinema provided that certain requirements are met.

First, all staff involved in the cinema's operation must have received three doses of a vaccine, or are individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 and received two doses of a vaccine, or are holders of a medical exemption certificate.

Second, all patrons entering that individual house for the same screening must have received three doses of a vaccine. Children aged 12 or below and those who have recovered from COVID-19 in the past three months will be deemed as meeting the requirement given that they have received two vaccine doses.

The restrictions on multi-household gatherings will also be lifted, the Government added.