Banquet host sorry, says everyone was jabbed

The host of a banquet that’s forced two government officials into isolation after a woman who later tested preliminary positive for Covid showed up has apologised and stressed that all guests were vaccinated and used the LeaveHomeSafe app.

Witman Hung, a local delegate to the National People’s Congress and the principal liaison officer of the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority for Hong Kong, staged the event at a restaurant in Wan Chai on Monday.

At least 11 officials attended of whom two, home affairs chief Caspar Tsui and the political assistant to the development bureau, Allen Fung, have been sent to quarantine.

“I’m deeply sorry for the inconvenience caused to government officials and guests for attending my event, as well as the effects on anti-epidemic work,” Hung said in a statement on Facebook.

“I will definitely learn a lesson and reflect deeply. At the same time, I thank everyone from different sectors in society for your concern. I wish everyone good health.”

Hung said the guest who tested preliminary positive didn’t eat at the event, and she was there between 9.30pm and 10.15pm when most guests had already left.

Hung said every guest had to be vaccinated and use the government’s LeaveHomeSafe app. He says he’s tested negative for Covid, and as far as he knows, the same goes for all guests who took a rapid test.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said she was “highly disappointed” that so many officials had attended a large-scale gathering amid the pandemic, saying they have to bear responsibility for their behaviour.