Mask-wearing policy (finally) lifted!

Dear Members,

Liberation Day has arrived! Maskless March is here!

The Government has finally announced that masks will no longer be required, starting from today, 1 March. That means member and guests are no longer required to wear a face mask anywhere on Club premises. It’s been 959 long days since we’ve been wearing face masks. This welcome change could not have come soon enough.

You are all free to wear or not to wear your face mask in all areas of the Club. Our staff will no longer remind any member or guest about wearing the mask.

What a long journey it’s been but we have finally arrived on the other side.

I look forward to seeing your unmasked faces around the Club. Let’s have a drink and celebrate this return to normalcy, better late than never!

Keith Richburg President 1 March 2023

A Friendly Reminder: Mask-wearing still applies!

Dear Members,

The Government has just extended the mask-wearing requirement for 14 more days, or until March 8. That means masks must still be worn inside the Club, except when members and guests are seated at the dining tables or at the bar. Masks must be worn when entering the Club, passing through the stairways to restaurants and visiting the restrooms. Please remember to respect this remaining Government pandemic regulation.

I look forward to seeing you around the Club.

Keith Richburg President 24 February 2023

The Club’s Early Closure on Chinese New Year’s Eve and Staff Party

Dear Members,

Happy Chinese New Year!

I am thrilled to see the Club getting busy after the government’s covid restrictions were lifted. However I would like to remind all members and their guests that masks must still be worn inside the Club, except when at the dining tables. Masks must also be worn when entering the Club. Let’s all please remember to follow this last remaining covid rule.

And following our regular tradition, the Club will close early on Chinese New Year’s Eve, which falls on Saturday, 21 January 2023 at 1600 (4:00 pm) so our staff can leave early for this important holiday.

At all other times during the Chinese New Year week, the Club will remain open. Feel free to visit here for detailed opening hours.

Also, the Club is excited to finally be able to relaunch our Annual Staff Party which has been postponed since 2020. The event will be held on Saturday, 11 February 2023, and the Club will also close early at 4:00pm for the party.

We would like to take this opportunity to invite all members who wish for their voluntary sponsorship of the staff party, either by providing gift vouchers or other items. All the sponsorship gifts will be used as the Grand Prizes of our Lucky Draw part of the party. I am sure our staff will be super appreciative of any gifts you can provide, and your contributions will make the staff party a more fun and memorable one. Again, gift contributions are totally voluntary. Feel free to contact with Joanne Chung at [email protected] for more details.

I look forward to seeing you at the Club in 2023 and the upcoming Year of the Rabbit.

Keith Richburg President 17 January 2023

The Club’s operations return to normal, but mask-wearing still applies!

Dear Members,

I am thrilled to bring you some good news and good cheer for the New Year.

From December 29, the Government has eased all the social distancing measures, with the exception of mask wearing.

This means there will be no longer any Vaccine Pass and RAT test requirements to enter the Club. The 12 person per table rule, and the requirement to keep 1.5m distance between tables, have been scrapped. Starting now, we can return to full seating in all our outlets.

There is one “BUT.” Masks must still be worn inside the Club, except when members and guests are at the dining tables. Masks must also be worn when entering the Club. Please remember to respect this one remaining Government regulation.

All our club facilities can now resume as normal. The sauna and steam room in Health Club will be reopen starting from today. Pre-registration is recommended with the gym attendant at 2844 2849.

Once again, I want to thank all the Members for your ongoing patience in the past 3 years. Your understanding and support has been crucial during these challenging times.

I also want to thank our loyal staff, who have had the tough job of implementing these constantly changing Government rules. When you are next at the Club, please take a moment and say thank you to the staff members, especially those you see at the entry and the reception desk who have been at the front lines of explaining and implementing these often-confusing rules, and assisting members with questions or problems. It has been a thankless and challenging job for them, and they would appreciate hearing a “thanks” from each of you. They deserve our praise for their tireless efforts over these last three years.

I would like to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you at the Club in 2023 and the coming Year of the Rabbit.

Now let’s party!

Keith Richburg President 30 December 2022

Further relaxation of social distancing measures

Dear Members,

The Government has announced that with effect from today, 22 December 2022, members and their guests are no longer required to take a RAT test before attending a private function or club event. However the Vaccine Pass with a blue code is still required and must be scanned or presented when you enter the Club. Our staff will be actively checking the Vaccine Passes at the entrance, so kindly also remind your guests.

Also please be reminded that mask wearing is still required inside the Club, except when members and guests are at the dining tables. That also means masks must be worn when entering the Club.

Once again, I want to thank all Members for your ongoing patience as we continue to adjust to these new measures. Your understanding and support has been crucial during these often challenging last months and years.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Happy New Year!

Keith Richburg President 22 December 2022

LeaveHomeSafe App is now lifted, however Vaccine Pass still applies

Dear Members,

The Government has announced that with effect from today, 14 December 2022, members and their guests are no longer required to scan the LeaveHomeSafe app before entering the Club. However the Vaccine Pass with a blue code is still required to present to our staff.

We can show your Vaccine Pass QR code through:      • The LeaveHomeSafe app      • The iAM Smart app      • The e-Health app      • A paper copy/ screenshots in mobile phone of your vaccination record

In case you or your guest is returning to HK and holding an overseas COVID 19 vaccination, please visit here to obtain the QR code for use in fulfilling the relevant requirements under the local “Vaccine Pass”. Other Club restrictions will remain in place. Feel free to visit here for more information. Once again, I want to thank all Members for your continued patience, understanding and your support.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Keith Richburg President 14 December 2022

FCC given new 3-year lease

Dear Members,

I am very pleased to inform you that the FCC has secured an extension to the lease on our Clubhouse for a further three years from 2 January 2023 until 1 January 2026.

We have received an offer from our landlord, the Government Property Agency, which is subject to contract, and the Board has confirmed our acceptance of this offer. This means we can continue in our home and provide security of employment to our loyal staff. We expect to sign the new lease in the coming days.

The lease contains other provisions that are now standard in all government leases, including allowing the Government to terminate the lease at any time with 3 months notice, or immediately if in the interest of national security.

With our immediate future now secure, we can continue to be the world’s best press club and we look forward to welcoming all members to continue enjoying our unrivalled ambience and hospitality. The past few years have been extremely challenging for the Club, and I want to thank all of you for your support and patronage. I also would like to thank all the Members of the Board of Governors who worked tirelessly with me to help achieve this positive outcome, with a special thanks to our Treasurer, Tim Huxley.

With our future settled, we also now need to ensure that our financial position is strengthened. We will therefore be making some amendments to our fees. From January 1st 2023, monthly subscriptions for all categories of membership will rise by HK$ 100 per month to HK$ 1200. This will be the first increase in monthly subscriptions in seven years and the FCC remains one of the best value Clubs in Hong Kong.

In addition, from Lunar New Year’s Eve 2023 (21 January), joining fees for Associate Members will rise to HK$ 45,000 while for new Correspondent and Journalist members, the joining fee will rise by a similar percentage to HK$ 3,850. Our discounted scheme for early career journalists will remain unchanged. All membership applications received before that date will be eligible for the current joining fees, regardless of when membership is approved.

These changes are necessary to help us to begin to restore the financial health of the Club after the uncertainties of the past few years. In addition, the Board will be considering other proposals, such as the introduction of a spouse fee and possible amendments to the Silver Membership category. However these changes would require an amendment to the Articles and hence need further discussion and consultation with the members.

I am happy to answer any questions you have. And I look forward to seeing you around the bar.

Yours faithfully,

Keith Richburg President

30 November 2022

The Club’s opening hour is back to normal from next Monday Nov 7!

Dear Members,

I would like to update you that the Government has further relaxed some social distancing measures effective from next Monday, November 7. The latest club policies will be updated as follows;

• The opening hours of all restaurants and bars will be back to normal (as per the chart below). Last orders for food will be at 10:50 p.m., while last orders for drinks will be 30 minutes before the Club’s closure.   Venue Monday – Saturday Sundays Public Holidays Bert’s Mon–Thu/Sat: 12:00–24:00 Fri: 12:00–01:00 closed closed Main Bar & Lounge Mon–Wed: 07:30–24:00 Thu–Sat: 07:30–02:00 10:00–24:00 Sun–Wed: 10:00–24:00 Thu–Sat: 10:00–02:00 Dining Room, Verandah & Chinese Restaurant Luncheon: 12:00–14:30 Dinner: 18:30–24:00 12:00–21:00 (Dining Room) Luncheon: 12:00–14:30 Dinner: 18:30–24:00 • Maximum number per table at 12 people is allowed; however, subject to outlets’ booking policy, pre-order is highly recommended for big groups. • Negative RAT test/ PCR test result is still required before entering the Club for participating in a banquet/ event. • Private functions and meetings with no more than 240 persons are allowed, subject to outlets’ maximum capacity. Please contact our team at [email protected] for more details. • Music performances at Bert’s are now back. More live events will be coming soon. • The health club remains open, although the sauna and steam room remain closed. No more than 6 people are allowed in the health club at one time. Pre-registration is required with the gym attendant at 2844 2849. • All persons must wear a face mask at all times within Club premises, except when eating or drinking at the table. • Staff continue to complete a COVID-19 rapid test every 3 days.

Children aged 5 to 11 are required to comply with the specified vaccination requirements under the Vaccine Pass when entering any applicable premises of the Vaccine Pass. Children ages 5 to 11 must have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, or within three months after receiving the first dose of vaccine. As for persons aged 12 or above, the grace period for receiving the third dose after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine has been shortened from six months to five months under the Vaccine Pass. Since the Club is subject to active checking of the Vaccine Pass, those who do not follow these measures will not be admitted. Click here to see more details on dosage schedule of Vaccines Pass.

Thanks for your continued understanding and support. I look forward to seeing you all at the Club!

Keith Richburg

President

3 November 2022