Authorities inspect 165 pubs in Hong Kong over the weekend

Several pubs and bars came under scrutiny and were inspected by the Hong Kong government authorities this weekend.165 pubs and bars in the nightlife district (Lan Kwai Fong) were checked by officials from the Food and Environmental Health Department and Police department. Ten of the bars were instructed to shut for having breached Covid 19 regulations. Last week, authorities had announced a new rule that required customers to produce a negative Covid 19 rapid test result to enter bars and pubs. This new rule was introduced after a number of new Covid 19 cases linked to the particular area emerged. The inspections over the weekend were to check for establishments that were not complying with the newly introduced rules.

Customers at the establishments breaching the requirement for rapid test were issued a penalty of HK $ 5,000. Customers who exceeded the no. of diners per table were also fined by the officials. A number of hospitality industry representatives have voiced concern about the government’s new rule as they are expecting it to be a blow to their business.

Although the city has recorded caseloads exceeding 1000 cases over the past five days, the amount of seriousl ill patients is still low and the hospitals are not overburdened.