Hong Kong to reopen bars and nightclubs to vaccinated people

Secondary school students sit for the diploma of secondary education (DSE) exams in Hong Kong on April 26, 2021, after getting their temperatures checked and respecting social distancing measures to avoid the spread of Covid-19. - AFP

HONG KONG, April 27 (Bloomberg): Hong Kong will ease social-distancing restrictions by allowing bars, nightclubs and karaoke parlors to re-open and operate past midnight only for vaccinated residents starting Thursday (April 29), as the government intensifies efforts to boost the city’s lackluster inoculation drive.

Staff and customers must have had received at least a first vaccine dose for the venues to open their doors, Food and Health Secretary Sophia Chan told a briefing on Tuesday. Patrons will need to sign in using Hong Kong’s LeaveHomeSafe app.