The fourth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong is serious, the government announced earlier to tighten preventive measures again, ordering the temporary closure of bars and other premises. The Sham Shui Po Police District Anti-Triad Action Group launched a “Tiger Fight” operation tonight (11) in the district, during which a raid on the first floor of a commercial building at 292 Lai Chi Kok Road led to the break-up of a suspected unlicensed bar. (Chapter 599F) were arrested.
In addition, 10 men, three women and four Mainland women were arrested on suspicion of “drinking on premises without a liquor license” and violating the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition of Gathering in Groups) Ordinance (Cap. 599G). During the operation, the police also seized 331 cans of beer, five bottles of red wine and two bottles of spirits, with a total value of about HK$4,000.
It is understood that the unit in question is about 600 square feet, the interior out of two rooms, the scene is crowded, although the drinkers sit at tables, but all do not wear masks, drinkers enter without measuring body temperature and other preventive measures, it is not known how long the unlicensed bar has been operating.
Some scholars have criticized the upstairs bar for hiding dirt and dirt, that its geographic concealment and repeatedly involved in drug transactions, the fire police are also very difficult, easy to accident, directly pointed out that “one is too many”, the government should consider canceling the licensing of upstairs bars. In the case of violation of the bar ban under the epidemic and there are sentences, should be emblematic, but only sentenced to 7 days in prison, the sentence is obviously too light. According to the latest bar ban, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and six months’ imprisonment, which is a far cry from the previous first conviction and does not serve as a deterrent.
Another former member of the Liquor Licensing Board said that some unlicensed bars are controlled by gangs, turning the venue into a hotbed of crime, often trading contraband, selling alcohol to underage people, etc., and may also affect the safety of fire escapes in buildings, urging the government to crack down on unlicensed bars at the root. The Liquor Licensing Board should cancel the licensing of upstairs bars, while the police should also step up inspections to eliminate problematic bars.
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