Coronavirus: Hong Kong chef, 35, revealed as winner of HK$10.8 million flat in vaccination lottery

The winner says he will move out of the place he rents in Cheung Sha Wan and into his new home at Grand Central in Kwun Tong

He witnessed first-hand how the pandemic hammered restaurants and says getting the shots were the best way to protect himself and his family

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The winner of the flat that was given away in a bid to boost Hong Kong’s vaccination drive. Photo: Handout

Published: 5:56pm, 15 Sep 2021Updated: 11:45pm, 15 Sep 2021

A 35-year-old chef has been revealed as the winner of a flat worth HK$10.8 million (US$1.4 million) offered in a lucky draw aimed at encouraging Hong Kong residents to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

The man, who preferred to only give his surname as Lee, was picked from among 2.5 million residents who signed up for the lottery organised by Sino Group’s philanthropic arm and developer Chinese Estates Holdings.

Lee said he would move out of the place he rents in Cheung Sha Wan and into the new one-bedroom flat, measuring 449 sq ft, at Grand Central in Kwun Tong.

The winner enters his new home at Grand Central. Photo: Handout

“When I first got notified about being the winner of the lucky draw, I was so excited and happy as I had never thought that I would have the luck to win the grand prize!” he said in a press release following the draw last Wednesday.

Lee recounted witnessing first-hand how the coronavirus pandemic hammered restaurants across the city when social-distancing rules forced them to limit their operating hours and seating capacity.

While some residents remain reluctant to get inoculated, Lee said he believed the shots were the best weapon against the pandemic.