The HKGov announced the relaxation of social distancing measures with the “vaccine bubble” and the reopening of closed venues. The HKgov has outlined 4 different operating methods for Food and Beverage Outlets starting from Thursday 29APR:
Please refer to the following table for more details. At this moment it is not yet known which type of restaurant it is upon entry nor how & when that will be communicated. Nonetheless, we will update with relevant information the soonest.
Bars, Party Rooms, Night Club and Bathhouses can reopen under certain conditions; ALL staff and customers must have been vaccinated with at least one dose of vaccine, and customers must use the LeaveHomeSafe App. The premises can operate until 2am with 50% capacity. For bars, 2 people per table are allowed. For Karaoke places, the capacity per room is 4 persons. Mahjong Parlors may reopen until 12am if ALL staff must have been vaccinated with at least one dose of vaccine and customers have to use the LeaveHomeSafe App. Shareholder Meeting and Annual Dinners can be held indoors with a maximum of 50 persons and outdoors with 100 persons.
Both businesses and customers who want to participate in the vaccination bubble will be required to use a new government app to verify how many vaccine doses a customer has had. The customer’s QR code will reveal three different colors to indicate the three degrees of vaccination: not vaccinated, one dose, or fully vaccinated (people are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after their second dose). The app will be available by this Thursday 29APR.
Regarding the air travel bubble:
On April 26, the HKgov announced the start of the Air travel bubble with Singapore on May 26. One designated flight carrying 200 passengers will be allowed from each side daily. If the coronavirus stays stable, the frequency will be increased to two flights per day from each side beginning on June 10. The scheme will be suspended for two weeks if the seven-day moving average of unlinked Covid-19 cases in either city is more than five. To see all the requirements to travel click here.
Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above and holding a valid Hong Kong Identity Card may use this system to apply for quotas under this scheme so that they will not be subjected to the 14-day compulsory quarantine upon entry to Hong Kong from the Mainland or Macao from designated land boundary control points or Hong Kong International Airport. Applications for Hong Kong residents aged under 18 have to be made by a parent or guardian.
Please refer to FAQs on the Return2hk Scheme website for eligibility of the Scheme.