The Foreign Correspondents' Club Hong Kong

The FCC Lounge & Main Bar will reopen on Sunday Feb 27 with limited food service & implementation of “Vaccine Pass”

The FCC Lounge & Main Bar will reopen on Sunday Feb 27 with limited food service & implementation of “Vaccine Pass”

Dear Members:

I am writing to update you that, following our closure due to a preliminary positive Covid infection of a staff member, we will be reopening the Club Lounge & Main Bar on Sunday Feb 27 with limited food service. During the closure, we took the opportunity to deep clean the entire Club premises. There will be no booking available for Feb 27 and the office will resume service on Feb 28. We will ensure that all staff members have completed the rapid test and have a negative result before returning to work. The rest of our outlets will be back to normal operation gradually in the next couple days, so please be patient and stay tuned.

The FCC restrictions will continue as follows:

•	All restaurants will close at 6 p.m. every day. Last food orders must be made by 5 p.m. and last drinks orders by 5:30 p.m. Maximum 2 persons are allowed per table, each member can bring 1 guest.
•	The takeaway menu is available from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. The menu can be downloaded from our website at fcchk.org. Please place orders with the FCC Restaurant at 2844 2806 or [email protected]. All orders will be confirmed by a phone call.
•	No banqueting is available. There will be no in person club luncheon talks but the Club will organize some zoom talks to members.
•	No music performances will be held at this time.
•	The gym is closed.
•	All persons must wear a face mask at all times within Club premises, except when eating or drinking at the table.

Please also be aware that the Club is now fully implementing the government's “Vaccine Pass", meaning that anyone aged 12 or above must present a QR code of their vaccination record (at least the 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine) or an exemption certificate for scanning. Anyone who is unable provide valid proof of vaccination will be denied entry to the Club, according to the government’s regulation. You can visit here to know how to obtain a QR code version of a medical exemption certificate.

The “Vaccine Pass” has 3 phrases based on vaccination status. Please refer to the table here.

Members and their guests must scan the “LeaveHomeSafe” QR code before entering the Club, including to use the workroom. Only the specific three groups of persons have the option to either using either the “LeaveHomeSafe” apps or completing a specified form.

Please be aware that mask wearing is a government requirement except when eating and drinking, and anyone not wearing a mask faces a $5000 fine. In case of an inspection and a fine being issued, the Club is not responsible.

Our Members' health, along with that of our team, remains our most important priority. We thank all Members for their understanding and your continued support. Please stay safe, everyone.

Keith Richburg
President

26 February 2022

Important Notice: The FCC is Now Closed until further notice – Staff member tested positive for COVID-19

Important Notice: The FCC is Now Closed until further notice – Staff member tested positive for COVID-19

Dear Members:

Unfortunately, we have been notified that one member of our FCC staff has tested preliminary positive for COVID-19 this morning. The staff member was last on duty on Thursday, 17 February in the Lounge and Main Bar, where they wore a mask at all times. The staff member is now staying at home and is in fine condition, showing no symptoms.

Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our Members and staff, we have decided to close the Club with immediate effect. All staff of the FCC will undergo a Government COVID test. The Club will only reopen gradually when we have received the results of all the Staff tests. In the meantime, a deep cleaning and sanitising of the entire Club premises will be undertaken during the period of closure. We will inform members as soon as we can regarding when we are in a position to reopen the Club facilities.

If you have visited the FCC last week and have concerns, you may consider testing or seek medical advice if you’re feeling unwell. Please see the below testing stations for your reference:

Community testing centres
https://www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/info

Mobile specimen collection stations
https://booking.communitytest.gov.hk/_data/pdf/2022-02-21-a-mscs.pdf

Our Members' health, along with that of our team, remains our most important priority. We thank all Members for their understanding and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this has caused. We will keep you informed as updates become available.

For questions or concerns, please contact General Manager, Didier Saugy, or Admin Office, Joanne Chung. Table reservation and takeaway is not available until the Club reopens.

Please stay safe.

Keith Richburg
President

Reminder: New club restrictions starting from tomorrow

New club restrictions starting from tomorrow

Dear Members:

Please be reminded the latest club restrictions starting from tomorrow February 16, 2022:

•	All member and guest aged 12 or above must receive at least 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine unless having a medical certificate in order to dine in a group of 4 at restaurants, except Bert’s still allows unvaccinated person seated in a table of 2 until February 23.
•	The Club will close at 6 p.m.
•	Last orders for food will be 5 p.m. while last orders for drinks will be 5:30 p.m.
•	The gym is closed.
•	A mandatory use of “LeaveHomeSafe” QR code before entering the premise.
•	“Vaccine Pass” will be fully implemented with effective from February 24.

More details about the recent restrictions and “Vaccine Pass”, feel free to visit https://www.fcchk.org/further-tightening-of-restrictions-vaccine-pass-on-feb-24/

Thank you for your continuous support of the FCC. Please take care, stay safe and healthy.

February 15, 2022

FCC Statement on the Arrest of Journalist Fahad Shah

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong is concerned about the arrest of Kashmir journalist Fahad Shah under India’s anti-terrorism law. Shah, who is the founding editor of The Kashmir Walla, was awarded the 25th Human Rights Press Awards in 2021 in explanatory feature writing for his coverage of the Delhi communal violence. He was arrested on Friday for allegedly uploading anti-national content.

Press freedom in the region has deteriorated since Indian prime minister Narendra Modi revoked Kashmir’s special status in 2019. Journalists seen as critical of the government are increasingly being called into questioning and the of the Kashmir Press Club has been shut down. The FCC urges authorities to respect the right of journalists to work freely and safely in the region.

Shah’s winning HRPA entry can be found here.

The following is a statement from The Kashmir Walla’s editorial board on Shah’s arrest:

Fahad Shah, the founding editor of The Kashmir Walla, has been remanded to 10 days custody by judicial Magistrate Pulwama Saturday.
He was arrested Friday by the police at the Pulwama Police station after he was called to submit a statement in an on-going investigation launched after The Kashmir Walla published the reports on events at a gunfight in the south Kashmir district on 29 January 2020. Since 31 January when Shah was summoned for questioning, he has co-operated with the police investigation.
Shah, the 33-year-old who founded The Kashmir Walla in 2009, was arrested under FIR 19/2022, with charges of sedition and the anti-terror law. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment.
In a press statement, the police identified Shah among “Facebook users” who “are uploading such posts which tantamount to glorifying the terrorist activities and causing dent to the image of law enforcing agencies besides causing ill-will [and] disaffection against the country.”
Speaking with a national news-wire, Kashmir police chief, Vijay Kumar said: “Accused Fahad Shah has been arrested on the basis of one of the three FIRs lodged against him for frequently glorifying terrorism, spreading fake news, & instigating people, for the past 3-4 years.”
Kumar further added that there are currently three cases registered against Shah. He clarified that Shah was arrested under FIR in Pulwama police station. Other two FIRs stand in police stations of Safakadal, in Srinagar, and Imamsahib, in Shopian.
Shah’s arrest comes on the heels of the imprisonment of another Kashmir Walla staffer Sajad Gul. Gul was booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) a day after he was granted bail by District Court Bandipora. He is currently imprisoned in Kot Bhalwal jail, in Jammu.
Under Shah’s decade-long leadership, The Kashmir Walla sailed through the devastating floods of 2014, the clampdown of August 2019, after New Delhi revoked the region’s limited-autonomy, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Shah’s writing on identity conflict and human rights has featured in reputed international magazines, including Foreign Affairs, TIME, and Foreign Policy. He was awarded the prestigious 25th Human Rights Press Awards 2021 in explanatory feature writing for his coverage of Delhi communal violence in February 2020.
Shah was bed-ridden and was on medication for severe cough and fever since 31 January. The Kashmir Walla has reposed its faith in judiciary and hope that Shah would be taken care of accordingly and supremacy of law will prevail.
The team stands in solidarity with Shah and his family at this time of distress and remains committed to providing reliable and on-ground reporting from Kashmir and appeals to Manoj Sinha-led Jammu and Kashmir administration for the immediate release of Shah and Gul. We hope both of them will join us back in the newsroom soon.

Further Tightening of Restrictions & “Vaccine Pass” on Feb 24

Further Tightening of Restrictions & “Vaccine Pass” on Feb 24

Dear Members:

As you all know by now, the Hong Kong Government has further tightened epidemic containment measures in light of the drastic deterioration of the epidemic situation in HK, to take effect from February 10 till February 23. The FCC restrictions will be updated as follows:

•	All restaurants will close at 6 p.m. every day. Last food orders must be made by 5 p.m. and last drinks orders by 5:30 p.m. Some of the restaurants will start moving to Type D operation which will allow all vaccinated members and guests, or those who are medically exempt or below 12 years old to dine in a group of 4. This will be done in different stages as below:

•	The takeaway menu is available from 11 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. The menu can be downloaded from our website at fcchk.org. Please place orders with the FCC Restaurant at 2844 2806 or [email protected]. All orders will be confirmed by a phone call.
•	No banqueting is available. There will be no in person club luncheon talks but the Club will organize some zoom talks to members.
•	No music performances will be held at this time.
•	The gym is closed.
•	All persons must wear a face mask at all times within Club premises, except when eating or drinking at the table.

Members and their guests must scan the “LeaveHomeSafe” QR code before entering the Club including the workroom. Only the specific three groups of persons have the option to either use the “LeaveHomeSafe” apps or complete a form.

Please be aware that use of the “LeaveHomeSafe” app is a government requirement, and anyone not using it faces a $5000 fine. There is no exception for not having a smartphone or forgetting your smartphone. In case of an inspection and a fine being issued, the Club is not responsible.

Staring from Feb 24, the Club will fully implement the “Vaccine Pass”, meaning that all member and guest aged 12 or above must receive at least the 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine unless having a medical certificate. Anyone who is unable provide valid proof of vaccination will be denied entry to the Club, according to the Government’s regulation. You can visit here (https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/27/P2022012700615.htm) to know how to obtain a QR code version of a medical exemption certificate. Below is the brief timeline to fulfill the “Vaccine Pass” requirement:

Thank you for your continued support of the FCC. Please take care, stay safe and healthy.

9 February 2022

FCCC: Foreign Press Face ‘Unprecedented Hurdles’ In Covering China

Foreign journalists in China face growing threats of harassment and intimidation, while news organizations there are operating at drastically reduced staffing levels, according to an annual report on working conditions by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China.

“As the number of journalists forced out by the Chinese state grows, covering China is increasingly becoming an exercise in remote reporting,” according to the club’s report published Monday. “With China pulling out all the stops for the Olympic Games, the FCCC is troubled by the breakneck speed by which media freedom is declining in China.”

The full text of the report can be found here.

In November, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong published its own survey of members on press freedom in Hong Kong. That survey can be found here.