Coronavirus: dim sum off the menu as Guangzhou bans eating in restaurants

Elderly resident says he can’t recall this happening in his city before, not even during the Cultural Revolution

Outbreak is expected to deal a heavy blow to businesses, especially smaller eateries, with some already forced to close

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Guangzhou’s ban on dining in restaurants took effect from Wednesday evening. Photo: He Huifeng

He Huifengin Guangdong,Guo RuiandPhoebe Zhangin Shenzhen

Published: 8:06pm, 13 Feb 2020Updated: 11:48pm, 13 Feb 2020

Like many elderly Chinese in Guangzhou, He Zhijian was shocked when he heard there was a ban on eating in restaurants, as authorities try to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The 73-year-old has spent his entire life in the southern city, where gathering for dim sum is an important weekly family ritual.

“My wife and I … are used to having dim sum, tea and Cantonese dishes at the local restaurants every week. From memory, this [type of ban] has never happened in Guangzhou before – not even during the Cultural Revolution,” He said, referring to the decade of social and political upheaval from 1966, when food was in short supply.

The ban took effect at 9pm on Wednesday and is part of measures to contain the outbreak of the virus, which causes a disease officially known as Covid-19, and is believed to have started in Wuhan in December. The pneumonia-like illness has so far killed more than 1,300 people and infected over 59,000.

Residents can still get takeaway meals in Guangzhou, but they have been encouraged to order online and have them delivered. Photo: He Huifeng

Guangzhou is home to more than 15 million people and a busy trading port, and has been known as China’s most open city since the 1600s. For locals, going to restaurants for yum cha, or “drinking tea”, and dining on dim sum is an important part of the city’s history and culture – a tradition that has been carried through many generations.