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Lights on at one window at a Hong Kong hotel on March 25. The city’s tourism and hospitality sectors have been struggling to cope with the loss of business following the coronavirus outbreak. Photo: Reuters
OpinionLetters

Letters | As Covid-19 hits Hong Kong jobs and earnings, can CLP, Towngas and HKT do more for struggling families?

Coronavirus pandemic: All stories
Letters
Letters
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In view of job losses and the loss (or reduction) of income for some Hongkongers, and the hardship facing many in the tourism and related industries, including restaurants, the government is providing relief in a number of ways. This is commendable. Hopefully, such steps will help those in distress caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Apart from these, I would also like to ask what concessions, if any, are being offered by public utilities and internet/broadband service providers?

Public utilities and broadband companies have a virtual monopoly over the goods and services they provide in Hong Kong. The MTR has offered fare concessions. What about other service providers like CLP, Towngas (Hong Kong and China Gas) and HKT?

Given our increasing reliance on online services, HKT needs to consider what concessions it can offer to relieve the financial pressure some families may be under in these difficult times.

These service providers have shown themselves to be conscious of their social responsibility in the past. As a concerned taxpaying Hong Kong resident, I hope that they will continue to be so responsible.

M. Shah, Tai Po

Closing golf courses justified in Covid-19 fight

I am writing in response to comments from Clive Hunter and Christopher Yeu on April 28, regarding the reopening of recreational facilities such as cinemas, libraries and golf courses.

As a golfer, I have also suffered from courses and driving ranges remaining off-limits during the coronavirus outbreak. However, I fully support the government’s earlier decision to extend the closure of those facilities.

Social distancing is necessary to avoid a community outbreak, but it is hard to believe that golfers would put on a surgical mask while on the links. People are also likely to gather at the clubhouse or lobbies of recreational facilities, which would increase the risk of any infection spreading.

It is also unfair to compare dining in a restaurant with playing golf, as the former is obviously a necessary activity for a lot of Hong Kong families. Many people’s daily routines only allow them to dine out, not cook for themselves. Allowing groups of four to sit together in a restaurant balances the imperative to reduce social gatherings with the needs of families.

Hong Kong set to ease some social-distancing measures next month

We have to strike a balance between health concerns and social activities. The only way to combat this deadly disease is for all citizens to demonstrate civic awareness and follow instructions from epidemiological specialists, practise social distancing and wear a mask in public areas.

Wesley Lai, Mid-Levels

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