Public services suspend amidst new wave of COVID-19 outbreak

Publish Date: 21-Jul-2020

New clusters of local COVID-19 infections broke out across Hong Kong after approximately two months of calmness. Dr Chuang Shuk Kwan, head of Communicable Disease Branch of the Department of Health, described the situation as a “third wave”. On 15 July, the government announced that the number of persons allowed in group gatherings in public places was reduced from fifty to four for a fortnight, in a new attempt to contain the spread of the virus. Religious gatherings were no longer exempted under the new measures.

In response to the government’s measures, the House of Bishops issued a notice on 14 July announcing that starting from 15 July 2020, all public worship services (including weekday, Saturday, and Sunday services) and group activities are to be suspended until further notice. Arrangements for wedding and funeral service will be separately made between the church and the parties concerned. A wedding ceremony should not be attended by more than 20 persons, and there should not be any food or drink served.