The Executive Council has endorsed the tightening of requirements on group gatherings, the Government announced today.

The Food & Health Bureau said the local COVID-19 epidemic situation has entered a critical stage. There have been several hundreds of confirmed cases reported from the large outbreak cluster caused by group gathering activities, notably dancing and singing, in indoor premises.

In addition, the emergence of a considerable number of local cases with unknown sources indicates that there are many silent transmission chains in the community.

It is imperative to tighten the requirements on group gatherings immediately, with a view to reducing people flow and social contact to stop the virus from spreading.

According to the amendments to the Prevention & Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap 599G), the number of people allowed in group gatherings in public places will be tightened from four to two.

The requirement is also applicable to group gatherings in catering businesses and scheduled premises.

The number of people allowed in wedding ceremonies at which no food or drink is served will be tightened from 50 to 20.

For shareholders' meeting of a listed company, subject to no food or drink being served, the number of people allowed in a room or partitioned area will be tightened from 50 to 20.

The exemption on group gatherings in relation to religious activities and local tours will also be removed.

The relevant legislative amendments will take effect from December 2. 

Unless exempted, the prohibition on group gatherings at public places will continue from December 2 to 15.

In order to achieve the needed deterrence effect, the council has also agreed in principle that the fixed penalties under Cap 599G, as well as the Prevention & Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap 599I) and the Prevention & Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap 599J) in relation to the respective requirements to wear a mask and take a COVID-19 test, should be increased by several times.

The Government will shortly seek the council's approval to amend the relevant legislation.