Allowing Dogs to Enter Restaurants Running Smooth in First Month

2026-08-09 12:00 Last Updated At：08-10 12:07

Allowing dogs to enter restaurants running smooth in first month

The new measure of allowing dogs to enter permitted restaurants has been implemented for one month since July 9. A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (August 9) that during this one-month adaptation period, the overall operation was generally smooth with a satisfactory level of compliance. Members of the public and restaurants made their choices according to their preferences and needs, and have gradually adapted to the new arrangement.

The spokesman pointed out that the first phase of the new measure sets a quota of 1 000 restaurants, and the number of permitted restaurants has increased from about 940 at the beginning to over 980 at present, reflecting the steady and continuous implementation of the measure in responding to community aspirations. However, the FEHD reminded operators that before applying for allowing dogs to enter, they must carefully consider the market positioning, customer base, and operational conditions of their restaurants, and make sufficient preparations before implementation to achieve the intended outcomes. A waiting list mechanism is established under the policy to ensure that when individual restaurants decide to withdraw, the released quotas can be reallocated swiftly and in an orderly manner.

The spokesman added that it was within expectations that assistance from the department regarding compliance with relevant regulations would be needed in the initial stage of implementation. Following continuous inspections, publicity, and education by the department, individual non-compliant behaviors have been properly rectified. As the adaptation period ends today, the department will conduct flexible inspections based on risk assessments. If non-compliance is detected, enforcement action will be taken immediately without prior warning.

Over the past month, FEHD's dedicated team continued to inspect restaurants across various districts to provide support to each permitted restaurants, as well as enhance the compliance awareness of them and customers through publicity and education. All parties were generally able to comply with the relevant regulations. As of August 8, dedicated officers have conducted about 29 600 inspections of permitted restaurants across various districts, issued a total of 77 verbal warnings, and taken enforcement actions against serious non-compliance behaviors, including issuing warning letters to licensees of three permitted restaurants for persistent non-compliance of cooking or heating food on dining tables, and instituting two prosecutions against failure to securely hold dogs on leashes. In addition, dedicated officers also proactively inspected non-permitted restaurants, and instituted prosecutions against six of them in breach of the regulation for allowing dogs to enter.

The FEHD emphasised that both restaurants and customers must abide by the law and regulations, and expressed hope that all parties will respect each other, earnestly fulfill their respective responsibilities, and jointly promote pet inclusivity.

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Celebrates 40 Years of Cultural Heritage in New York City

New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's vibrant culture at dragon boat festival

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) continues to support the 36th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York (HKDBF-NY), a role it has held since founding the festival in 1990.

This year's festival marks the 40th anniversary of Hong Kong's gift of teak wood dragon boats to citiesacross North America, including New York City, introducing this centuries-old Chinese tradition to the continent. This legacy takes centre stage this weekend with a special invitational race to commemorate the anniversary, alongside a display of the traditional teak wood dragon boats for visitors throughout the weekend.

At the festival opening ceremony on August 8 (New York time), the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, reflected on this legacy and how the HKDBF-NY, one of New York City's largest multicultural festivals, has brought people together for 36 years, proving that sport has a unique power to connect and unite people.

Ms Ho said the festival is a celebration of heritage, resilience and teamwork, noting that the vigour, determination and camaraderie shown by the competing athletes reflect the same qualities that define Hong Kong – a cosmopolitan and vibrant gateway city that connects business, talent and ideas, while remaining firmly rooted in its cultural heritage.

Ms Ho added that the festival is a testament to the enduring friendship between Hong Kong and New York and the United States, fostering mutual understanding and strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties. "Our office remains committed to building on this relationship in the years ahead," she said.

This weekend's festivities also coincide with a milestone moment for dragon boating worldwide, as the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) recently relocated its global headquarters back to Hong Kong in July, marking a homecoming to the birthplace of the modern dragon boat movement. The IDBF's World Dragon Boat Racing Championships will also return to Hong Kong next year for the first time since 1997. Ms Ho noted that this development was a vote of confidence in Hong Kong as a world-class hub for international sport.

Ahead of the race weekend, Ms Ho and representatives of the festival's major sponsors gathered in Hudson Yards on July 15 for the traditional "awakening" ceremony, dotting the eyes of the dragons in a ritual believed to bring good fortune to the racers. Then on August 7, the festival's organising committee took the celebration to Wall Street, ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange, a nod to the festival's place in New York's cultural and sporting calendar.

Over the two-day festival, more than 170 teams and over 1 800 paddlers battled for the podium in front of a strong crowd. Beyond the races, the New York ETO had a festival booth to promote Hong Kong to visitors. Visitors all enjoyed delectable Hong Kong street food, vibrant cultural and musical performances, alongside martial arts and arts and crafts demonstrations throughout the festival grounds.

Allowing Dogs to Enter Restaurants Running Smooth in First Month

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Allowing Dogs to Enter Restaurants Running Smooth in First Month

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