HoOnNg GKoKngONG

Hong Kong on Friday extended Covid-related restrictions for two more weeks, keeping social venues shut and shortening dine-in hours at restaurants through the end of the Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb 1. In line with China’s zeroCovid policy, the Hong Kong government is trying to contain an Omicron outbreak that has reached 60 cases locally. It will also extend a flight ban on eight countries — the US, UK, Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan and the Philippines — until Feb 4. The move will put a significant damper on Lunar New Year celebrations, which often involve families gathering in large groups at restaurants.