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The surge in new cases of the novel coronavirus in Hong Kong relating to residents returning to the city from abroad, labelled the “second wave”, has led health authorities to call dining out a high-risk activity.

McDonald’s has today announced a temporary suspension of dine-in service after 6pm in all its 244 branches across the city. Takeaway and delivery will still be available, with free delivery between 6pm and 12am when using the 24-hour delivery service starting from today for two weeks. Dine-in service is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, 8 April.

And just like Mickey D’s, local fast-food chain Café de Coral has also temporarily stopped dine-in service post-6pm.

Many other restaurants in Hong Kong have sent out statements saying they are taking a break from operations in the interest of the safety of their staff; this includes Foodie faves like La Petite Maison, Mott 32, Yardbird, RONIN, Samsen, TREEHOUSE and Meraki Hospitality Group (BEDU and Uma Nota). Even The Chairman,
which sits pretty at number 2 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2020 list, has announced a two-week closure.

READ MORE: Le Comptoir Group Takes a Break

Other restaurants have sent out releases about the extra precautions taken daily at their eateries such as temperature checks, mandatory masks, industrial sanitation measures, restricting the number of guests and placing guests further apart while dining out.

Recent government regulations have mandated that no more than four diners may dine at one table and tables themselves must be placed at least 1.5 metres apart.

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