FCC Announces Changes in Operation Starting Friday 27 March

FCC Announces Changes in Operation Starting Friday 27 March

The Board of Governors of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong has approved additional measures to protect the health and safety of the club’s staff, members and guests. These are in keeping with, and go beyond, the Chief Executive’s announcement earlier this week of measures to try to contain a second wave of the coronavirus outbreak in Hong Kong.Starting Friday, March 27, upon opening, the club will for the foreseeable future implement the following measures:

* Reduce the club’s hours of operation – from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
* Allow only one guest per member at all times
* Close Bert’s
* Increase distance between tables and visitors and promote social distancing including at the Main Bar
* Cancel all banqueting until further notice
* Expand takeout and delivery options
* Continue to keep the gym closed per the government’s regulations regarding changing rooms
* Continue the check-in, temperature taking and declaration measures upon entry to the club
* Continue enhanced and frequent cleaning protocols throughout the club

These measures will allow us to continue to serve our members, which is important as we are a professional club that supports members in their working lives, as well as providing a social venue. Many members are working journalists, including freelancers, who depend on the facilities in a professional capacity and need to continue to conduct interviews.

We do not underestimate the gravity of the health situation facing Hong Kong and strongly believe that these enhanced measures will allow us to better protect the health and safety of staff, members and guests, while allowing us to keep open the club that forms a vital function for working journalists. These measures go beyond the government guidelines. If those guidelines or the situation in Hong Kong changes, our plans can and will be revised accordingly.

Thank you.

26 March 2020