Carrie Lam spells three-month plan to ease social distancing from Apr 21

Most social distancing measures will remain in place until April 20, after which they may be relaxed in phases over a period of three months, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Monday. 

In a press conference, Lam said the easing of the Covid rules would only proceed if the city’s epidemic situation continues on a downward trend, with no sign of a rebound.

The first phase of the easing would see dine-in services at restaurants extended to 10pm from 6pm, with four diners allowed per table – a double of the current cap of two. 

Authorities will also allow the reopening of designated premises, including gyms, cinemas, massage parlors and beauty centers. Sports premises and facilities managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will also reopen.

Dine-in services at restaurants will be further extended to midnight in the second phase of the easing, with eight diners allowed per table. Swimming pools and beaches will also be reopened. 

Citizens will be exempted from wearing masks during outdoor exercises by then, while bars and pubs will also reopen.

In the final phase, most restrictions except basic ones will be dropped. People still have to wear a mask and observe a social gathering cap. They will also be required to continue using the LeaveHomeSafe contact tracing app along with the vaccine pass, which allows only the vaccinated to enter a list of regulated premises including restaurants, shopping malls and supermarkets. 

On school reopening, Lam said primary schools, international schools and kindergartens will be the first ones to reopen on April 19. 

As for secondary schools, resumption of face-to-face teaching will have to wait until the end of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exams scheduled to begin on April 22.

The Education Bureau earlier said there will be a backup plan and the exam may be postponed to May or June, depending on the epidemic situation when they make the final decision in early April.

Lam also said students will not be required to get vaccinated to enter schools, but a high vaccination rate among students will create herd immunity among them, providing better terms for school learning activities.