Coronavirus: business at Hong Kong bars, pubs falls 60 per cent amid new Covid rapid-test rule, industry leaders say, as city logs 1,160 local cases
- Entertainment tycoon Allan Zeman says business earnings have dropped significantly as a result of frequent inspections
- Dr Albert Au of Centre for Health Protection defends new requirement, says bars and pubs pose higher risk of transmission as they are ‘more relaxed environments’
Business at bars and pubs at Hong Kong’s nightlife district has declined 60 per cent since the implementation of a new Covid-19 testing requirement on customers, industry leaders say, as they hit out at “unclear” rules and “disturbance” by law enforcers.
The city recorded 1,160 local and 116 imported Covid-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total number of infections to 1,225,408, while related fatalities remained at 9,393, with no new deaths reported.
Authorities ramped up inspection at bars following the new rule implemented on Thursday to require customers to show photos of a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) result taken in the last 24 hours before entry to premises.
At least 36 operators and staff, as well as 33 patrons across 12 pubs, were fined or issued with summonses on Friday for breaching Covid-19 rules, according to police.
The 16 male and 17 female customers, aged 20 to 49, were fined in Tsim Sha Tsui, Lan Kwai Fong and Tsuen Wan for violating regulations including failing to show their RAT photo or “Leave Home Safe” app scanning record.
At least four bars and a restaurant in Lan Kwai Fong were issued with summonses and ordered to suspend business for seven and 14 days respectively as a result.
Entertainment tycoon Allan Zeman said business earnings had dropped significantly as a result of the frequent inspections.