The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department today announced that a working group has compiled a list of air purifiers that comply with the requirements on air change or air purifiers in catering premises under the Prevention & Control of Disease (Requirements & Directions) (Business & Premises) Regulation.

The Secretary for Food & Health had earlier stipulated a requirement on air change or air purifiers to be complied with in dine-in restaurants.

The department explained that the working group, established for the smooth implementation of the requirement, announced that air purifiers that meet the specified specifications will be uploaded onto its webpage by batches, for reference by catering premises operators and ventilation contractors.

It had earlier invited suppliers to provide information on their air purifiers which meet the specified specifications, and information of about 500 models of air purifiers were received by the deadline.

The department noted that the working group is making its best endeavours to offer views on whether the information submitted by suppliers should be able to match the specified specifications in the directions. If the information of an individual form is incomplete, it will contact the submitter to follow up.

The first batch of air purifiers meeting specified specifications has been uploaded and the working group will continue to review the remaining information and update the list indefatigably.

To comply with the requirements, catering premises operators are required to register at the department's webpage on or before April 30 that the air change per hour at seating areas of their premises has reached six, or air purifiers that meet the specified specifications have been installed according to the on-the-ground situation, together with a certificate issued by a registered specialist contractor (ventilation works category).

Catering premises completing the registration may, upon confirmation by the department, download a notice at the department’s webpage for display at the entrance of their premises.

The working group has formulated an initial draft of the guidelines on air change and air purifiers at catering premises. After consulting departments concerned, it will announce the guidelines as soon as possible.

The department said the working group assists in compiling the list of air purifiers, which will help the smooth compliance of the requirement by catering premises operators and ventilation contractors, so as to protect the health of staff, customers and the public, and to fortify the public's confidence in patronising catering premises.

Catering premises operators are urged to strictly comply with relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19.