Hong Kong restaurateurs predict a bitter winter for city’s eateries, as new Covid-19 rules could cost sector estimated HK$6 billion

Food and bar industry representatives urge government to again open coffers to subsidise embattled establishments

‘Most of the big activities and celebratory banquets will have to cancel,’ trade group leader predicts, warning of up to 60 per cent decline in revenue for month compared to same time last year

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A return to just two diners per table has Hong Kong restaurateurs predicting a chilly winter for the industry. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 10:00am, 1 Dec 2020Updated: 11:55am, 1 Dec 2020

Hong Kong’s restaurant sector will lose an estimated HK$6 billion (US$774 million) in revenue next month and face a very chilly winter without additional wage subsidies, an industry head warned on Monday, as Covid-19 restrictions on diners per table were set to be tightened to two people.

Food and bar industry representatives urged the government to provide another round of financial relief to tide businesses over the difficult period, with some eateries saying they planned to simply close at night to save costs.

Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said December was usually a peak business month thanks to Christmas and the winter solstice festival, with the sector raking in about HK$11 billion on average.

From Wednesday, Hong Kong restaurants must end dine-in services by 10pm and will be allowed to seat only two diners per table. Photo: AFP

But from Wednesday, eateries will be required to end dine-in service at 10pm for at least two weeks, after only recently it being limited to midnight. The number of people allowed per table will be cut from four to two amid the fourth wave of Covid-19 infections.