The Government introduced statutory restrictions on group gatherings in public places with a view to reducing risks of virus transmission and no political considerations have ever come into play.

The Government made the statement last night in response to some comments saying that further relaxation of restrictions on group gatherings under the Prevention & Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) involves political consideration, adding that such allegations were totally unfounded.

It said the Government has all along adopted a suppress and lift strategy and made adjustments to measures to control the epidemic as appropriate while striking a suitable balance among public health, economic development and day-to-day operation of the society.

Even though the situation in Hong Kong has become more stabilised in terms of the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, taking into account the local cluster cases last week without known sources, the impending school resumption, and community and experts’ advice on whether the cluster cases would cause large-scale outbreak in the community, the Government decided that current social distancing measures should be maintained for 14 days.

Such measures include the restrictions on group gatherings, and the Government stated it will conduct further review having regard to the development of the epidemic situation.

The Government noted that according to provisions of the regulation, it may exempt specific group gatherings as exempted group gatherings are in general necessary for daily lives or essential for maintaining the operation of the society.

Taking into account the need for worshippers to participate in religious activities raised by religious groups, the Government considered that the restrictions on religious gatherings could be relaxed subject to fulfilment of appropriate infection control requirements.

It stressed that these gatherings are limited to those held at premises regularly used as a place of worship, rather than a full relaxation.

As for other various types of group gatherings at public places, the Government is of the view that the conditions are not present to allow full relaxation. The Government will review relevant implemented measures from time to time having regard to the development of the epidemic situation.

On the one hand some social distancing measures will be maintained, but on the other hand there will be room for gradual resumption of social activities, with suitable adjustments made to social distancing measures after considering all relevant factors.

The Government emphasised that it does not rule out gradual relaxation of restrictions on group gatherings subject to the epidemic situation, for example, by adjusting the maximum number of people allowed at a group gathering or introducing additional categories of exempted group gatherings.

Before the global epidemic is fully under control, the Government calls on the public to stay vigilant, maintain an appropriate social distance from others, and adopt precautionary measures in crowded places to cut the virus transmission chain.