Hong Kong will impose strict new social distancing measures from midnight today, the most stringent in the Asian financial hub since the coronavirus broke out, Reuters reported.

The new measures include:

• mandatory face masks for people using public transport; violation will lead to a fine of HK$5,000 ($645)

• restaurants to no longer provide dine-in services and only offer takeaway after 6pm

• twelve types of establishments including gyms and places of amusement must shut for a week

Chief Executive Carrie Lam has said that the government would limit group gatherings to four people from 50 — a measure last seen during a second wave in March.