Hong Kong third wave: restaurant industry group to roll out HK$50 million food safety scheme to ‘rescue’ sector
- The group, which represents the catering industry, says the scheme could create hundreds of jobs
- It is also calling on the government to provide additional subsidies to help eateries cover expenses amid a major pandemic-related downturn
Leaders of Hong Kong’s catering industry are set to roll out a HK$50 million citywide certification scheme for food safety aimed at the city’s 16,000 restaurants next month, in a desperate bid to help contain the spread of Covid-19, create jobs and rescue the battered food and drink sector.
Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, told the Post on Monday he was working with various industry leaders and organisations – such as the Hong Kong Productivity Council – on the scheme.
The move comes as restaurants continue to take a severe beating in the battle against a third wave of Covid-19 infections. Since February, the pandemic has brought the city to a near standstill for long periods of time.
Starting in late July, the government imposed unprecedented social-distancing measures, including extending a ban on nighttime dining at restaurants and outlawing gatherings of more than two people.
Restaurant takings in the second quarter of 2020 dropped 26 per cent on last year, and receipts shrank from HK$28.6 billion (US$3.7 billion) to HK$21.2 billion between April and June year on year.