COVID-19-hit party: Violations detected in initial probe

HONG KONG - A preliminary investigation into the recent COVID-19-stricken banquet in Wan Chai showed the Spanish tapas restaurant where the event took place is suspected of not complying with the government's requirements for a Type D catering establishment, Hong Kong's chief executive said on Tuesday.

Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Tuesday that the restaurant didn't provide tables for diners when serving food and was serving more customers than it could handle, citing initial findings by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.

The Centre for Health Protection said on Monday that 214 people attended the birthday party for Witman Hung Wai-man, principal liaison officer for Hong Kong at the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority. Two guests at the party were confirmed infected later.

At least 14 government officials and 20 lawmakers attended the banquet, which took place on Jan 3.

"Whether the restaurant — as an operator and a food-license holder — as well as the guests have complied with the public health requirements, that's the investigation," Lam said.

According to the government's rules for banquets at Type D catering premises, the maximum number of participants should be no more than 240 people and at least two-thirds of them must have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination. They must also use the LeaveHomeSafe contact-tracing app or fill out a record form when attending.

Lam said discipline investigations against the 14 officials are ongoing to ascertain whether there was non-compliance with government rules. She is yet to receive the report of the investigation led by Civil Service Bureau Director Patrick Nip Tak Kuen and Chief Executive's Office Director Eric Chan Kwok-ki.

Stressing it was a disciplinary action, Lam said the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will be responsible for the investigation of the violations of the law.

She added that the government will follow up impartially and rigorously.

Meanwhile, authorities are also looking into possible violations of cargo crew at the city's flagship airline, Cathay Pacific, which has been deemed the source of the omicron outbreak in the city.

The investigation will center on whether crew members, who were exempted from compulsory quarantine, comply with home isolation and whether anyone took advantage of the exemption arrangement to return to the city via cargo flights.

The government will take legal action once it has all the evidence, Lam said.

Lam stressed that the investigations are not about fault-finding or finding scapegoats, but to ensure compliance with the law and rules.

In response to a question about a wedding she attended, Lam said the wedding was at the end of November or early December, before the omicron outbreak, and she was there for only about 10 minutes.