Hong Kong snooker officials say trust human behaviour rather than closing clubs in Covid-19 fight
- Snooker establishments reopen on Friday after a second closure – this time for 50 days under pandemic measures
- Only half of a club’s tables can be used and each table cannot accommodate more than four people, with all to wear face masks
Snooker officials welcomed the reopening of clubs as pandemic control measures were relaxed, but said restrictions on the number of tables are unnecessary and urged the government not to close their businesses as the only measure to combat Covid-19.
Billiard establishments and public bowling alleys, both under the government’s places of amusement licence, can get back to business from Friday. They have been closed since July 15 for a second time following a resurgence of the virus.
“We welcome the decision (allowing billiard establishments to resume business) but doubt the remaining restrictions are still necessary,” said Hong Kong Billiard Sports Control Council chairman Vincent Law.
“Throughout this period we have witnessed the population of Hong Kong has learned how to minimise the risk of transmissions through self-discipline and preventive habits.
“Restrictions on business operations and the closure of public venues may no longer be the most effective way to combat the virus. After all, life has to go on. We believe human behaviour, as opposed to closure of business, is what is needed to win this war against Covid-19.”
