Coronavirus: lawmakers expected to rush HK$30 billion relief package through Hong Kong legislature, but some call for cash handouts to benefit workers
- Struggling businesses also call for the government to help them secure bank loans to sustain long-term operations
- Legislative Council’s finance committee schedules eight-hour meeting for Friday, with politicians across the spectrum backing the proposals
Hong Kong lawmakers are expected to rush a HK$30 billion virus-aid package through the legislature on Friday, while some will also press for universal cash handouts that will benefit workers as well as bosses.
Struggling businesses also called for the government to help them secure bank loans to sustain long-term operations, saying a cash injection could only carry them so far.
Industries across all sectors in the city stand to benefit from the relief package, announced last week by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, which is an urgent attempt to prop up struggling businesses and support people reeling from the effects of the coronavirus outbreak, with 67 infected cases so far confirmed in the city.
More than half the funding – HK$16.9 billion (US$2.15 billion) – would be used to provide one-off cash injections to retailers, food and drink service providers, transport companies, students, the arts and culture sector, guest houses and travel agents.
Another HK$10.19 billion (US$1.3 billion) would focus on the virus itself, with support given to the Hospital Authority, local production of surgical masks and the purchase of more protective equipment.
The Legislative Council’s finance committee has scheduled an eight-hour meeting for Friday, with lawmakers expected to pass the package on the same day.