Coronavirus: Hong Kong business leaders warn of mass closures, bankruptcy as city’s universal testing plan remains uncertain
- Business leaders across different sectors are angry over inconsistent timeline for mass testing, concerned by possible prolonged closures
- Without detailed plans from government, owners cannot plan recruitment and logistics, catering group chairman says
Struggling Hong Kong businesses are stuck in limbo and cannot make plans for the future amid rising fears of shutdowns or bankruptcy after government proposals for mass Covid-19 testing were left hanging in the balance.
Various industry leaders told the Post that many businesses and their employees felt angry and frustrated over the government’s “inconsistent and self-conflicting” anti-Covid-19 measures, which created financial uncertainty during the ongoing outbreak.
They also warned of waves of bankruptcies, business closures and job losses as postponed mass testing was likely to further delay the resumption of operations. Currently, 16 types of premises are temporarily shut down under social-distancing measures which were expected to be lifted on April 21 after mass testing was completed.
Lam has refused to provide a definite timetable for mass testing, after previously saying it would be conducted in March.