Tao Heung shuts 48 restaurants for a fortnight in coronavirus fight

Chinese restaurant operator Tao Heung will shutter all 48 of its venues for more than a month following tightening restrictions on dining in Hong Kong.

As the territory’s administration has now moved to limit the maximum number of diners per table to four – at tables spaced 1.5 meters apart – in an effort to curb the coronavirus outbreak, the group decided to close all of its restaurants through to April 10.

“For everyone’s health and safety, from today, our restaurants will not serve anyone under mandatory quarantine,” read an announcement on the group’s Facebook page.

Tao Heung’s venues mainly serve traditional Chinese delicacies. The business also operates venues in Mainland China.

The group is one of several major F&B chains to respond to the official measures in the midst of the pandemic.

Hong Kong’s total number of coronavirus cases has already passed the 500 mark, prompting more stringent social distancing measures on the part of the government, including a proposed ban on alcohol sales at Hong Kong’s licensed bars and clubs that has since been withdrawn after an outcry from the industry.

Restaurants are now restricted to operating at half their capacities and must institute mandatory temperature checks and hand sanitization.

Venues failing to comply with regulations will face maximum fines of HK$50,000 (US$6450) and six months in prison.