Wedding banquets are allowed starting this Friday, but public gatherings are still limited to 50 people, Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee announced.

Further easing of social distancing measures are introduced as the previous ban on public gatherings of more than eight people is due to expire on Thursday.

Starting from Friday, limits on the capacity of restaurants and eateries will be lifted, but the public gathering cap of 50 people will be in place for two weeks, meaning the annual July 1 march is not likely to be allowed.

Restaurants are still required to keep their tables at least 1.5 meters apart or set up partitions between tables. Body temperature check of all incoming diners and visitors is compulsory.

Maximum number of people per karaoke lounge and party room will double from eight to 16. Bars, pubs, and nightclubs will also be allowing eight people per table instead of four. A ban on live performances will also be lifted.

High-risk venues such as steam rooms and saunas will remain closed.

The announcement came after the city’s two amusement parks, Ocean Park and Disneyland HK, confirmed their reopening last week and earlier this week respectively.

Infectious disease specialist Joseph Tsang Kay-yan said he does not understand the logic behind the government’s move.

Tang said the government’s public gathering ban has no scientific basis to begin with and that the government should set up new legislation to impose the wearing of masks at all times, particularly when diners are not eating.

“What [the government] truly wants is to forbid all public gatherings, but they care not one bit how long the queue outside Ocean Park is,” said Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, convener of the Civil Human Rights Front. He added that the government kept such restrictions with the intention to suppress mass protests.

Sham said that the Front would only hold protests authorized by the police, so as to ensure the safety of peaceful participants.

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