A man wearing a mask runs along the waterfront of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, Oct 26, 2020. (KIN CHEUNG/AP)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong reported three new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the city's tally to 5,323.   

All three new cases were imported, the Centre for Health Protection said in a statement issued on Saturday afternoon. The patients, aged between 19 and 40, were from Japan, Pakistan and Germany respectively, the CHP said.

One of them has stayed in The Nova in Sai Ying Pun after arriving in the financial hub, the center said.

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According to the Hospital Authority, 97 patients are being treated in hospitals, including nine in critical condition.

Police initiated procedures on prosecution against two bar operators for providing dine-in services between 2 am and 3 am

On Friday, the eve of Halloween, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and police stepped up inspections at the city's nightlife districts to ensure compliance with the government's social-distancing measures.

The FEHD and police jointly inspected 89 restaurants and bars, during which leaflets were distributed to remind people to follow the government’s guidelines and health experts’ advice, and exercise self-discipline, according to a government statement issued on Saturday afternoon.

During the inspection, a total of 54 verbal warnings were given and procedures on prosecution were initiated against six operators for violating anti-infection measures applied to restaurants.  

Police also initiated procedures on prosecution against two bar operators for providing dine-in services between 2 am and 3 am.

Starting Friday, local restaurants can entertain six customers per table, up from four. The cap on the number of people allowed per table at bars was relaxed to four from two. Dine-in service is banned from 2 am to 5 am.

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The total number of people allowed in restaurants and bars are capped at 75 percent of the normal seating capacity. Tables must be arranged in a way to ensure a distance of at least 1.5 meters or some form of partition which could serve as an effective buffer between one table and another.

Operators face a maximum fine of HK$50,000 (US$6,450) and imprisonment for six months if they fail to comply. Diners who fail to wear a mask when they are at restaurants but not eating or drinking are liable to a maximum fine if HK$5,000 or be issued with a fixed penalty notice of HK$2,000.