The Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong says the mixing of vaccinated and unvaccinated persons remains a risk in any setting but more so in indoor gatherings and should be adequately mitigated.
He stresses that it is the responsibility of those organizing any indoor or outdoor gatherings to ensure that the gathering is COVID-safe.
Doctor Fong says making the gatherings COVID-safe needs to be the priority whatever the purpose of the gathering.
He adds children ineligible for vaccination, in any gathering, are best protected by ensuring that the age-eligible adults are vaccinated and the space they are in is well ventilated.
Doctor Fong stresses that for indoor settings, maximizing natural ventilation by opening windows, doors and vents when conditions allow (not posing a safety risk), or mechanical ventilation using fans and ducts, or a combination of both is important.
He adds any poorly ventilated spaces must be identified and steps are taken to improve fresh air flow in these areas.
Doctor Fong says vaccinated persons gathered indoors must be properly masked, with optimal ventilation for the room, and with 2 metres spacing between individuals remains the key protective measures.
He adds maintaining 2 metres of physical distancing is the critical public health measure in an outdoor gathering for any purpose, hence the Ministry's instructions on adherence to the 30-persons limit with adherence to other COVID-safe measures.
