Hong Kong to ease some social distancing measures from October 6

On Friday the Hong Kong government announced the easing of some social distancing measures from October 6. KIN CHEUNG AP HONG KONG The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said on Friday it aims to relax some coronavirus curbs in an orderly manner as pandemic trends in the Asian financial hub continued to stabilize.

From October 6, some social distancing measures will be relaxed, including raising the maximum number of persons per table in restaurants to 12 from eight, while banquets will be allowed to have up to 240 people attending, compared to 120 now.

The current four bars, pubs, and nightclubs will be able to serve up to six people per table. The restaurants in groups of more than 12 and those going to bars will still need to present a negative rapid antigen test result upon entry, according to local media.

The 12 person rule will also apply to premises like party rooms and karaoke lounges.

The SAR authorities have announced the scrapping of the suspension mechanism that forces their ships to return to port if a suspected COVID 19 infection is detected on board.

The city's health authorities have recorded 4,023 new coronaviruses and eight COVID-related deaths, bringing the city's death toll to 9,948 during the fifth wave.

The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health said 3,810 local infections and 213 imported infections were among the new cases.

Of the locally acquired cases, 2,778 cases were identified through rapid antigen tests, while the rest were identified by nucleic acid tests.

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The Hospital Authority said there were 1,762 COVID 19 patients receiving treatment at public hospitals, including 159 new admissions.

There were 23 COVID patients in serious serious condition and 37 in critical condition, of which seven were under intensive care, it added.