Chan, 69, has run a restaurant in Sham Shui Po since 1997. Now named Pei Ho Counterparts, the restaurant is well-known for providing low-priced boxed meals to the grassroots.

During an inspection conducted by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department last year on Chinese New Year's Eve, it was found that two tables inside the restaurant were 1.03 meters apart.

The distance was short of the required 1.5 m as stated in the Directions of the Secretary for Food and Health under the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation.

He pleaded guilty at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on Wednesday. He was fined HK$2,000.

In mitigation, he said that the restaurant had already reduced a quarter of its tables to conform with health regulations. The eatery is too small, and he could not meet the required distance even when staff moved unused tables aside.

"(I) can only plead guilty and pay the fine. There is no room to argue as the officer measured it (the distance between two tables)."

Outside court, he said the restaurant was unable to maintain dine-in services after the implementation of disease prevention regulations, which hugely affected its operation.

However, he stressed that his giving away of free meals will not be affected. There are more people in need under the pandemic, and he will continue to help more grassroot families.