Coronavirus: Hong Kong retail sector warns any cuts to shopping mall opening hours will kill businesses, jobs
- Health chief told lawmakers the authorities were considering restricting malls’ operating hours to reduce crowds in bid to contain coronavirus
- Trade body warns move will spark a wave of shutdowns and put 450,000 jobs at risk if it happens
The Institute of Shopping Centre Management, an industry alliance of about 3,000 retailers, catering firms and mall operators, on Thursday said it strongly opposed the plan and warned the measure would spark a wave of shutdowns and put 450,000 jobs at risk if it materialised.
The city’s fourth wave of infections hammered businesses over the Christmas peak season, and the prospect of the coming Lunar New Year shopping period being killed sparked alarm. The government has already scrapped traditional Lunar New Year night fairs and urged the public to avoid home gatherings.
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“Can the government offer a more holistic approach to containing the coronavirus instead of in a piecemeal manner?”
Ko questioned why shopping centres were targeted when none had been involved in any outbreak. He pointed to construction sites, which had been hit by cases but the industry kept operating.
Secretary for Food and Health Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee told lawmakers on Wednesday that the authorities were considering restricting malls’ operating hours to reduce crowds as the city had been battling the fourth wave since November. The government has a target of zero infections.