You may be accustomed to dealing with restrictions on party sizes for various reasons – be it budget, venue or something else entirely – but when law prohibits you from gathering with your dearest and nearest, how do you decide who makes the cut? We turned to the experts for some advice
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Hong Kong in January 2020, life as we know it was altered. Aside from the obvious worries about health and cleanliness, we all had to adopt to a “new normal”. Working from home become the norm, face masks were a regular accessory, and social distancing changed the way we could socialise.
And while unlike the rest of the world, Hong Kong never went into full lockdown mode, even before government rules were put in place, individuals began to limit their contact with the outside world. We were already well acquainted with the four walls of our apartments, when on March 29, social distancing rules banned public gatherings of more than four people.
While having a devasting impact on businesses across the city such as bars, gyms and cinemas, for those who were still going (somewhat) about their usual business, the question remained: how do you pick your friends when the numbers permitted for gatherings are so limited?
Even now, as of May 8, the precautions have been relaxed only slightly to allow gatherings of up to 8 people, while wedding parties are now permitted up to 50 guests. In light of staying positive in the uncertain times we are living in, the ease on restrictions is good news and the pandemic in the city certainly seems to be under control. But for those planning what should be joyous occasions, having to pick and choose your guest list may be putting a strain on relationships, to not mention, make event planning even more of a headache.
