Hong Kong further loosens social distancing measures as new infections at 2-month low
Xinhua
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HONG KONG, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) - Hong Kong announced Wednesday further relaxation of social distancing measures as daily new COVID-19 infections retreated to the lowest point in about two months.

000_1WW4Z4.jpgMedical workers collect samples from a man (bottom L, seated) at a makeshift testing site for COVID-19 coronavirus infections at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Hong Kong on September 1, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

Effective for seven days from Friday, a dine-in ban for restaurants will be loosened to 10:00 p.m. local time, while diners currently are prohibited from eating in after 9:00 p.m. local time, Sophia Chan, secretary for food and health of the government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

Gyms, massage parlors, and some indoor and outdoor stadiums can also reopen on condition of anti-disease measures, Chan said.

Hong Kong already cautiously relaxed some restrictions over social activities last week as the epidemic situation showed signs of easing. New cases stood at nine and 12 on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, down significantly from the peak of triple-digit growth.

Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection reported eight new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total confirmed cases to 4,830. All the new patients got infected locally, and transmissions of four were untraceable.

Despite the loosening, mandatory mask-wearing rules in public areas and a ban on group gathering over two will continue. Chan described fighting the COVID-19 as a protracted war and called on the public to remain alert and remain social distancing.

Chan also called on residents to actively participate in an ongoing universal community testing program aimed at screening asymptomatic patients and cutting transmissions. The government said more than 120,000 people took virus tests on Tuesday, the first day of the program.

COVID-19 has caused 92 deaths in Hong Kong, and about 300 patients are still hospitalized, with 25 in critical condition.