- Title: Hong Kong tightens social distancing again as coronavirus cases rise
- Date: 13th July 2020
- Summary: VISITORS WALKING PAST SOCIAL DISTANCING MARKING ON GROUND FIRST GROUP OF VISITORS ENTERING PARK
- Embargoed: 27th July 2020 16:41
- Keywords: China Covid-19 Disney Disneyland Hong Kong coronavirus social distancing
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA004CMN5HS7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Hong Kong will tighten social distancing measures again from Wednesday (July 13) amid growing worries about a third wave of coronavirus infections, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said.
The government will limit group gatherings to four people - down from 50 - a measure last seen during a second wave in March.
Twelve types of establishments, including gyms and gaming centers, must shut down for a week. Restaurants will only be allowed to give out takeaway after 6.00 p.m.
The Chinese-ruled city recorded 52 new cases of coronavirus on Monday, including 41 that were locally transmitted, health authorities said. Since late January, Hong Kong has reported 1,522 cases and local media reported an eighth death on Monday.
"Unless we have an effective vaccine which can be widely used in the community, we may need to co-exist with the virus for a period of time," Lam told a news conference on Monday.
The measures were the result of a three-way tug of war between considerations related to public health, economic impact and social acceptability, she said.
Lam also said civil servants will work flexible hours and that wearing face masks will be mandatory on public transport.
Walt Disney Co. also announced on Monday (July 13) that it is temporarily closing its Hong Kong Disneyland theme park from July 15 amid rising coronavirus cases in the Chinese-ruled city.
The announcement came two days after Disney reopened its biggest resort, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, as coronavirus cases surged in the state.
Earlier on Monday, the organizer of the Hong Kong Book Fair, which draws about one million visitors annually, said the event due to start on Wednesday (July 15) will be postponed to a later, unspecified date due to the coronavirus.
Hong Kong's Education Bureau on Friday announced the suspension of all schools from this week.
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