Coronavirus: Hong Kong restaurants welcome groups of 12 under eased social distancing, with operators expecting more evening bookings
- Government increases number of diners allowed to sit together in restaurant from eight to 12 and raises limit on groups in gyms, yoga studios and karaoke lounges
- Industry representative says restaurants report 10 per cent boost in reservations for parties of dozen people, but economists less optimistic over benefits to city
Hong Kong has eased Covid-19 social-distancing rules limiting the size of many types of group gatherings for the first time in five months, but economists have warned the city still has a painful road ahead before the benefits of opening up begin to pay off.
On the back of falling infections numbers, the government on Thursday increased the number of diners allowed to sit together in a restaurant from eight to 12, and raised the limit of patrons permitted at bar tables from four to six. Banquet hall capacity also doubled from 120 to 240, while gyms, yoga studios, karaoke lounges and party rooms were allowed to host groups of 12, also up from eight.
Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said eateries, especially dim sum restaurants, enjoyed a roughly 10 per cent boost in reservations for parties of a dozen people, mostly for dinner.
“There might be more dine-in customers at night than before,” he said. “The atmosphere may be better during the weekends. With the stock market rising yesterday … along with the release of the consumption voucher, it will simulate consumption. I am quite optimistic so far.”
Residents last week received as much as HK$3,000 from the government to spend on meals, shopping and entertainment as part of an extended push to stimulate an economy mired in recession.