The Government announced that the requirements and restrictions applicable to catering and scheduled premises will be largely maintained until October 8 and rules on team sports and religious gatherings will be eased.

It gazetted the latest amendments, directions and specifications under the Prevention & Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap 599) today to combat the COVID-19 epidemic more effectively.

From October 2 to 8, the requirements and restrictions in relation to catering and scheduled premises will be largely maintained, including the suspension or prohibition of activities and facilities involving higher health risks such as dancing, steam and sauna facilities and ball pits.

But the latest directions will allow team sports at sports premises with more than four participants based on the particular team sports activities.

To allow religious gatherings during which no food or drink is served except when used for religious rites, the Government will expand the scope of the existing exempted group gatherings to cover religious activities held at any premises constructed or regularly used as a place of worship, including a church, monastery or nunnery, mosque, synagogue or temple.

Such amendments will take effect on October 2.

The number of participants in these religious activities will be restricted to not more than 50% of the number of people that may normally be accommodated on the premises as a place of worship.

Unless exempted, the prohibition on group gatherings of more than four people in public places will continue during the above seven-day period.

The requirement for wearing a mask at all times when on public transport and in all public places will also remain in effect.

Meanwhile, the Government today gazetted amendments to the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap 599C) and the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap 599E).

The amendments, to take effect on September 30, will empower the Secretary for Food & Health to specify relevant people arriving from Category 2 specified places to be excluded from the compulsory quarantine requirements subject to meeting certain conditions.

The Government called on the public to maintain their awareness of epidemic prevention when resuming social and economic activities, especially during the long weekend with the National Day and the day following Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, with a view to preventing another outbreak in the community.