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| Most bars in Lan Kwai Fong have shut down even before the order to close was issued today |
The directive was published in the government gazette today, Apr 2.
“Any premises that is exclusively or mainly used for the
sale or supply of intoxicating liquors…for consumption in that premises must be
closed,” it said.
Even sections or bars found inside restaurants or clubhouses
that mainly serve alcohol must be closed.
Violators face a fine of up to $50,000 and imprisonment for
six months.
In a statement, the government said the new measure was
taken because of 62 cases of Covid-19 cases directly linked to bars, and 14 of
their close contacts, including a 40-day-old baby boy.
Yesterday, karaoke bars were also ordered shut after seven
people who went to the Tsim Sha Tsui branch of MRRED karaoke all tested
positive for Covid-19. A relative of one of them was also infected.
Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan said the
prohibition may extend to beauty parlors, after two more cases of beauticians
getting infected were reported today.
One of them is a friend and colleague of another beautician
who tested positive on Wednesday.
However, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Center for Health said
the two did not work together in the same Tsim Sha Tsui branch of the salon
that offered reenex, a facial laser technology. But they had gone surfing and
hiking together in March.
The other infected beautician works at New Beauty in Causeway Bay
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| Health officials say the closure order may extend to beauty parlors, after 3 beauticians were found infected |
Chuang said health investigators suspect the salon was the
origin of infection.
“We could not find other high-risk factors so far,” she said
in the CHP’s daily press briefing.
“People should avoid unnecessary gatherings. They should
really avoid activities that involve close contact. I think not many activities
are essential, going to beauty parlors is not,” Chuang said.
The CHP reported 37 new confirmed coronavirus infections today,
bringing the total number of cases in Hong Kong
to 802.
Of the new cases, 30 had traveled overseas, including a
2-year-old child who visited Sweden
Chuang said that among the seven local transmissions was a
man who caught the virus during a workout at the F45 Training gym in Wong Chuk
Hang, where a member tested positive on Apr 1.
There was no direct contact between the two infected
gym-goers, but the wife of the latest patient was the trainer of the other male
customer.
Meanwhile, the Health Department officially informed the
Consulate on Apr 2 that two Filipino Covid-19 patients had recovered and been discharged
from the hospital.
They brought to six the number of Filipinos who have been
released after recovering from the illness.
The Consulate said in a statement that 17 other Filipinos
infected with Covid-19 remain in hospital.
“Our kababayans composed of 9 females and 8 males are
undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Hong Kong .
The Philippine Consulate General is extending all necessary assistance to them,”
the statement said.
The Consulate again urged Filipinos to observe social
distancing.
“We appeal to the Filipino community in Hong
Kong to stay at home whenever possible. Avoid crowded places when
going out and follow recent regulation on social distancing that bans the
gathering of more than 4 people in public places,” the Consulate said.
In another development, the chairman of the Hong Kong
Medical Association’s advisory committee on communicable diseases stepped up
pressure on the government to also close beauty and massage parlors for two weeks.
“Masks work, taking temperatures work, but those measures
are not 100%. There’s still a chance of the virus spreading from the mask to
hands, and if a person is getting a facial there is no way for them to wear
masks,” Dr Leung Chi-chiu said.
“Beauticians and masseuses also take care of many customers
a day, which increases the risk of cross-contamination,” Leung said.
This was supported by Dr David Hui Shu-cheong, who spoke at a
coronavirus update forum hosted by the Asia Society of Hong Kong.
As of this writing, Covid-19 cases has risen past 930,000
with the total death toll approaching 47,000.
The United
States
The Philippines
