Working Group announces list of air purifiers meeting specified specifications

The Secretary for Food and Health has earlier stipulated a requirement on air change or air purifiers to be complied with in dine-in restaurants in the directions in relation to catering business under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F). The Working Group, established for the smooth implementation of the requirement, announced today (April 1) that air purifiers that meet the specified specifications will be uploaded onto the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)'s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/guide_general_reference/Information_air-changes_purification.html) by batches, for reference by catering premises operators and ventilation contractors.

The Working Group has earlier invited suppliers to provide information on their air purifiers that meet the specified specifications, and information of around 500 models of air purifiers were received by the deadline. 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, the Working Group will contact the submitter to follow up.

Balancing considerations like the need of the Working Group to handle the massive information prudently while the wish of the trades for the information to be made known soonest possible, the Working Group has decided to handle and announce the information by batches according to the timing of submitting the forms; to list the devices in a batch in alphabetical order of their individual brand names; and to strive to complete the handling and announcement of the full list of air purifiers that meet the specified specifications in the shortest time possible. The first batch of air purifiers meeting specified specifications has been uploaded to the webpage. The Working Group will continue to review the remaining information and update the list indefatigably.

To comply with the requirements on air change or air purifiers in catering premises under the Regulation, catering premises operators are required to register at the FEHD'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 FEHD, download a notice at the FEHD's webpage for display at the entrance of the premises.

A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The Working Group has formulated an initial draft of the guidelines on air change and air purifiers at catering premises. After consulting departments concerned, the Working Group will announce the guidelines soonest possible, for reference by catering premises operators and ventilation contractors."

The spokesman continued, "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." He appealed to catering premises operators to strictly comply with relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

Ends/Thursday, April 1, 2021