The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department initiated procedures on prosecution against 25 catering business operators suspected of breaching anti-epidemic regulations during the Easter holidays.

The department stepped up inspections and conducted joint operations with Police in various districts from April 2 to 6.

A total of 241 catering premises were inspected during the joint operations, and 2,175 catering premises and 496 other premises were checked by the department on its own.

Of the 25 catering business operators suspected of breaching the Prevention & Control of Disease (Requirements & Directions) (Business & Premises) Regulation, 15 were related to a failure to ensure that customers scan the LeaveHomeSafe QR code or register their names, contact numbers and the dates and times of their visits before they are allowed to enter the premises.

The remaining were related to the distance or partition between tables, mask-wearing, and the failure to arrange for all staff to undergo a COVID-19 test once every 14 days.

During the operations, the department also initiated procedures on prosecution against an operator of a bathhouse which was not closed as required by the regulation, and another person for operating food businesses without a licence.

The department will step up inspections at food premises across the city and conduct joint operations with Police when necessary to ensure food business operators and members of the public comply with relevant regulations.