Hong Kong to ban gatherings of over four people, close six types of entertainment venues 

Authorities in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will ban gatherings of over four people in an attempt to contain the coronavirus spread after the city registered 65 new cases on Friday, its biggest daily increase.

The new measure, announced by HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam at a press briefing on Friday afternoon, will come into effect on Sunday and last for two weeks.

The ban will apply to both indoor and outdoor assemblies, with exceptions made for several events including funerals, weddings and work-related gatherings.

Lam also said six types of venues including cinemas, gyms, and amusement game centers will close from 6:00 p.m. on Saturday for 14 days.

Restaurants, bars and cafes are also ordered to halve the maximum number of customers they can host, with a cap of four people at each table and with tables placed at least 1.5 meters apart from each other.

Hong Kong now has a total of 518 confirmed cases.