Coronavirus: with alcohol ban looming, Hong Kong bars, restaurants announce own anti-epidemic measures
- ‘We’re taking the initiative and hope there is no need for legislation,’ catering sector lawmaker says at Wednesday press briefing
- Voluntary moves include operating at half capacity and spacing out tables, while stakeholder group petitions for benefits for furloughed workers
Health authorities on Wednesday revealed that three more Covid-19 patients had visited the bar Insomnia in Lan Kwai Fong, bringing the tally of cases linked to the popular nightlife area to 20.
The self-initiated containment measures, announced Wednesday, come as the food and beverage sector is up in arms over Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s controversial plan to ban alcohol sales at the 8,600 Hong Kong restaurants, bars and clubs with liquor licences.
Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group and the area’s dominant landlord, said some businesses had already seen revenue to this point in March cut in half from a year ago, with the worst case seeing revenue decline by 70 per cent.
Zeman noted about 10 per cent of some 120 restaurants and bars in the area had already suspended business as potential customers stayed home to guard against the spread of contagion.