There is a light at the end of the tunnel for Hong Kong, let us hope it is not the train of the 6th wave. As Hong Kong opens up people are desperately seeking connection. They are gathering both secretly and not so secret. As organizers bring people together they are trying to decipher the current rules and distressing over out what they can and cant do. I have been asked by many friends and clients wanting to organize gatherings what should they do, here is my understanding of how to have a safe gathering…
Please note, I am not a lawyer and the rules are patchy, difficult to understand and sometimes don’t make sense. Here is the detailed breakdown for what is allowed and where until May 18th.
The Hong Kong Government realizes they can’t police every event. To manage the restrictions on events they put the onus onto licensed venues. This makes it very tricky for event managers as different venues have different restrictions and many gatherings are not held in licensed premises.
As of yesterday, restaurants could seat 8 and host banquets for up to 20. Bars are still closed. No entertainment allowed unless you are an entertainment venue or an event premises. Public gatherings of more than 4 people can get you and everyone who attends fines.
They have eased restrictions now on gathering in private places. There is no mention of numbers allowed nor requirements. So what is ‘private’… according to the government website: “Public places refer to places where members of the public can get access to from time to time.”
It seems the government does not want to tell you what you can and cant do in your home, generally Hong Kong homes are too small to have anything large. So if you are inviting more than 4 people around make sure it is people you know, not strangers. If you are advertising on IG or FB…? that is public. If you are charging admission or selling tickets, that is public. Asking friends to chip in to cover the costs of F&B that’s private. Sending direct messages to you friends to ask them for dinner, that’s private too.
Generally it seems the problems don’t happen at the event, they happen afterwards. Often an asymptomatic person attends only to find out later they have covid. When they go to the doctor they are referred to the Department of Health who begins contact tracing. They say they were at your party, the DoH then comes to you asking who was there, if you don’t tell them you get in big trouble.
If you are at a licensed venue it is the venue’s responsibility. If you are in a private space, it is your job as an organizer to ensure the safety of your guest. This means keeping numbers small, ensuring everyone is vaccinated, using RAT tests, keeping detailed lists with times for who arrives and leaves. (Keeping a detailed list with arrival and departure times is very difficult but could save some of your guests a trip to Penny’s Bay) and of course keeping everything as sanitary as possible.
We look forward to the coming months as Hong Kong returns to normal and we are allowed to dance again. Until then, get your jabs, wear your mask and wash your hands.
