LettersGet Hong Kong coronavirus relief funds into the hands of suffering businesses at the earliest

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Bars remain closed at Lan Kwai Fong in Central on January 17, amid a fourth wave of coronavirus outbreaks in Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 6:50am, 22 Jan 2021Updated: 6:50am, 22 Jan 2021

I am writing in response to “Hong Kong’s stricken businesses say red tape is delaying critical Covid-19 subsidies” (January 17).

Repeated closures in view of successive Covid-19 waves in the city have severely squeezed businesses, with bars, restaurants and beauty services among the worst affected. Even though more than HK$310 billion had earlier been set aside for relief, it would appear much of it is stuck in red tape and not reaching the businesses that need them.

Some have complained that the application process is too complicated and unclear. For example, one business owner missed the deadline to request a review as he did not know there was one. Others spoke of a long wait after handing in their application, and a lack of officers on hand to answer queries.

It is understandable that officials need time to process such a massive volume of applications. Also, especially when some cheating was detected in the earlier rounds of relief, a more rigorous approval process is justified.

However, being strict is no excuse for being slow. Business owners have been waiting for months for the subsidies to tide them and their staff over this difficult time. The government must to do whatever is necessary to speed up the whole process.

Sheryl Cheung, Kwai Chung