Things you need to know about Hong Kong's social distancing restrictions

Gatherings of more than four people are banned in public places. If people are caught gathering in groups of more than the permitted number, there will be a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months for 'any person who participates in a prohibited group gathering; organises a prohibited group gathering; owns, controls or operates the place of the gathering; and knowingly allows the gathering.' 

Participants caught in the illegal gathering may be discharged by paying a fixed penalty of $5,000. The only exemptions to the rule are gatherings in public for transportation purposes; for groups performing any governmental function; for groups gathering at a place of work or within hospital and healthcare facilities; persons living in the same household; proceedings in a court; funerals and any other occasions for mourning; and when taking pictures with your family and friends during events or group activities as long as everyone is wearing masks.

Under the 'Vaccine Pass' programme, Hongkongers without vaccination passes will not be able to enter designated premises. Most venues, including restaurants, gyms, hotels, cinemas, and more, are required to display QR codes for the Leave Home Safe mobile app, which records your whereabouts and checks whether you have visited any venues with a Covid-19 infected patient. 

Starting this month, specified coloured QR codes assigned on your Leave Home Safe apps will determine your Covid-19 status and health risk before entering the premises. Only those with a Blue QR Code will be allowed entry to the premises. People with assigned Red and Amber Codes won't be allowed to enter. 

All Hong Kong residents returning to town must adhere to relevant boarding, quarantine, and testing arrangements. 

If you're a resident returning to the city, here's a guide on what you need to prepare before your departure.  

Hongkongers can plan outbound travels but make sure to check the government website of your country of origin and your intended destination to see what policies have been put in place and monitor the situation. A lot of countries have reopened their borders. Check out this list of top travel destinations currently open to vaccinated Hongkongers. 

From May 1, non-Hong Kong residents are finally allowed to enter the city. Visitors must be fully vaccinated and are required to undergo the same quarantine requirements imposed for inbound Hong Kong residents, which include booking a mandatory quarantine for seven nights at any of the designated hotels.

From August 12, mandatory quarantine will be reduced to three days plus four days of ‘home medical surveillance’ which will allow limited movement to some areas in the city such as offices, public transport, and shopping malls. 

Arrivals will be required to download the Leave Home Safe app when they land in Hong Kong and undergo daily RAT and regular intervals of RT-PCR tests. People who will test positive during quarantine will be issued a Red Code. Those who will test negative for Covid-19 after the three-day quarantine are assigned an Amber Code which will be activated on the fourth to the seventh day. Amber Codes allow arrivals to leave the hotels but restrict them from accessing designated areas in the city that requires a Leave Home Safe app. Visit this link for more information. 

The government allows travellers who have recently recovered from Covid-19 but still test positive for the virus in PCR tests to enter the city as long as their rapid antigen test comes back negative within 24 hours of boarding a flight.

For information about countries/areas with reported cases of Covid-19, visit this link.

The government requires mandatory mask-wearing in terminals, public transport, as well as indoor and outdoor public places. Eating and drinking are also not allowed on public transport. 

Hongkongers are allowed not to wear masks in country parks or when exercising or jogging in outdoor areas. And since May 19, the government has allowed citizens not to wear masks when exercising in indoor sports premises and fitness centres. 

If you are caught violating the mask-wearing regulations, you will get a maximum fine of $10,000.

If the government issues a Compulsory Testing Notice requiring individuals who were present during a certain period at any specified venue to be subject to compulsory testing, designated individuals must visit any of the mobile specimen collection stations, community testing centres (CTCs), or recognised local medical testing institutions to undergo professional swab sampling for compulsory testing. Fine for not complying with compulsory testing orders will receive a fixed penalty of $25,000 and imprisonment of six months. 

The government currently acknowledges self-administered RAT tests. Positive results may be reported on the government's designated platform.  

If you’ve tested positive, click here for a complete guide on what to do next. 

Following the recent spikes of bar and club-related Covid-19 clusters that have emerged in the city, bar-goers are required to present a negative Rapid Antigen Test result to bars and nightclubs before entering the premises. After taking the RAT test, patrons will have to take a picture of the negative result with their written names and the date and time of the RAT test. To avoid transmission in the community, taking RAT tests on the spot are not allowed. RT-PCR test results taken within 24 hours are valid to present to the venues.

If the authorities catch the bar not complying with the rules, the venue will be suspended for 14 days. Those who are found to provide false information will get a fixed penalty of $5,000.

Bars and late-night venues were ordered to be closed in January, but since May 19, bars, nightclubs, karaoke rooms, and mahjong parlours have resumed operations and extended operations until 2am.

Start planning your next after-work drink at these top bars in the city. Looking for new drinking dens? Check out this line-up of new bars in the city. Make sure to call the venue to check on their current operating hours.

Since May 19, catering businesses are allowed to extend dinner service until midnight, seat a maximum of eight people per table, and the maximum number of persons in a banquet has been increased to 120.

Need inspiration for your next meal? Check out our list of the best brunches in Hong Kong, book a seat at the top restaurants in the city or check out the new restaurants opening this month. 

Since May 5, beaches and swimming pools reopened to the public. 

Visit this link to keep updated on various LCSD spots that will remain open or closed to the public. 

Looking forward to your next beach getaway once restrictions lift? Book a staycation at these beachside hotels and check out our guide to the best beaches in the city. 

Salons have reopened since March 10. Nail salons and other cosmetic beauty services have also resumed operations since April 21.

Salon staff are required to check guests' vaccination status before accepting walk-ins. 

Plan your next visit to the best salons in the city, but make sure to call to check on their new operating hours.

Cinemas have reopened since April 21. From May 19, cinemas are allowed to accommodate up to 85 percent of their capacity and moviegoers are allowed to eat and drink while watching the movies.  

Check out the best movies to watch in Hong Kong cinemas this month. Not ready to go to the movie house? Have a streaming marathon and catch our list of the latest Netflix shows. 

Gyms and LCSD's indoor and outdoor venues have reopened, including sports courts, indoor games halls, and outdoor leisure venues such as sports ground tennis courts, bowling green courts, and basketball courts. 

Outdoor cultural facilities such as a children's playground and areas with fitness equipment are also operational. 

Since May 19, cruise ships have been allowed to operate. Hotels remain open, but they must adhere to specific guidelines imposed by the government. That includes limiting the number of guests in each guestroom to four persons and up to eight people in a suite.

Room visitors are required to register their personal information. Intense hygiene practices must be implemented to protect their staff and the guests, which will include regular body temperature screening and thorough cleaning and disinfection of facilities and amenities before the arrival of a new guest. Hand sanitisers must be available in rooms. 

If you are a Hong Kong resident returning to the city, click here to see the full list of government-designated quarantine hotels. 

Need a staycay? Schedule a weekend getaway from the best beachside hotels, boutique hotels, or luxury camping spots in town. If you're planning a vacation for you and your significant other, check out the best romantic hotels in the city.

Any outdoor activities must be carried out whilst adhering to the social distancing rules. For the latest updates on facilities in country parks, call 1823 for enquiries or visit hiking.gov.hk.

Looking for the best hikes in the city? Here's our list of the best hiking trails in Hong Kong. 

For other thrilling adventures, bookmark our wellness guide to keep you updated with the latest hiking tips, trails, and outdoor activities to do around town. Looking for other adventures? These itineraries will inspire you to get out and experience the city. 

Spa establishments and massage parlours are open. Steam and sauna facilities remain closed.

Registered Chinese medicine practitioners are allowed to operate, and if you need therapy for medical reasons, physiotherapy centres and certified chiropractic establishments remain open. 

If you're looking for other ways to destress, get started with soothing candles, and essential oils. Or turn your attention to indoor plants to lower levels of anxiety and stress, bring a touch of nature into your homes with the help of these plant delivery services. You may also check out some of our recommendations for the best ways to unwind and relax while waiting for things to settle.

Performance venues, theme parks, amusement game centres, places of worship, cinemas, bowling alleys, skating rinks, and museums have reopened. 

Since May 19, bathhouses, party rooms, karaoke establishments, mahjong-tin kau premises are allowed to operate. 

Water World Ocean Park also reopened. Book your tickets and online reservations on Water World’s official website. 

In order to address questions from the public, the government has set up an FAQ page about the latest social distancing regulations. For the latest news and announcements from the government, you may visit gov.hk.