(Bloomberg) — Hong Kong will extend the restrictions it put in place to fend off an outbreak of Covid-19 for two weeks, keeping social venues shut and shortening dine-in hours at restaurants through the end of the Lunar New Year, according to local media.
The rules — banning dining-in services after 6 p.m. and shutting down bars, cinemas, gyms and entertainment venues — will last until Feb. 3, local broadcaster Cable TV and HK01 reported, citing unidentified people. The government is trying to contain an omicron outbreak that has reached some 60 cases locally.
The Asian financial hub will also extend the current flight ban imposed on eight countries — the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan and the Philippines — until Feb. 4, South China Morning Post reports, citing unidentified people.
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The restrictions started last week and were originally set to last for two weeks. The extension means they will be in place throughout the Chinese New Year holiday that runs for the first three days of February.
The move will put a significant damper on the celebrations, which often involve families gathering together in large groups for dinner at local restaurants.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam will hold a press conference at 6 p.m., the government said, without elaborating.
(Updated with SCMP’s report on the flight ban extension in the third paragraph.)
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