The Government announced today that it will ease some social distancing measures from October 20 and the maximum number of people allowed in group gatherings in public places will be relaxed to 12.

The Chief Executive in Council has approved the amendments to the Cap 599G Prevention & Control of Disease (Prohibition on Gathering) Regulation in order to raise the maximum number of people allowed in group gatherings in public places from four to 12.

The amendments will be subject to negative vetting by the Legislative Council and will come into effect on October 20 to align with the effective cycle during which the social distancing measures will be suitably relaxed as earlier announced by the Government.

The Government noted that the epidemic situation in Hong Kong has been stable so far since it subsided from the peak in early September. 

Even though the number of new cases did not decline further but hovers around some 5,000 per day with a slight increase recently due to the emergence of new mutant strains of potentially higher transmissibility, the overall figures of hospitalised patients, severe cases and deaths remain at a stable level.

The public healthcare system can also maintain the majority of its normal services while handling COVID-19 in-patient cases.

Live performance and dancing activities will be allowed in catering premises, bars or pubs, clubs or nightclubs, cinemas, museums, as well as meeting rooms or function rooms in club-houses and hotels or guesthouses, on the premise that relevant performers meet certain requirements including conducting regular tests from October 20.

Meanwhile, eating and drinking are allowed in outdoor areas of theme parks.