Coronavirus: relaxation of social-distancing measures draws lukewarm response from Hong Kong’s business sector

The much-awaited relaxation of coronavirus curbs on social gatherings and venues has drawn a lukewarm response from Hong Kong’s business sector, with members of some trades complaining they have already missed their peak season and others expressing unhappiness at being left out.

The easing of restrictions on gatherings, announced on Tuesday by the government, will allow Hongkongers to go out and about in groups of up to eight, replacing the current limit of four.

Bars, gyms, cinemas, beauty salons and mahjong parlours are allowed to resume business with some restrictions, while karaoke lounges, party rooms and nightclubs will remain closed for at least another two weeks.

The relaxed measures come into effect on Friday as Covid-19 cases show signs of levelling off in the city.

Theatres Association vice-chairman Chui Hin-wai welcomed the decision and said cinemas were ready to receive movie-goers, although some extra measures may be needed. “Probably, we shall sell tickets on alternate rows, require guests to wear masks and not to eat or drink while inside, and check their temperatures,” Chui said.

He did not expect a business boom as he said the industry had missed the Easter peak. “This period is the low season. We hope businesses can pick up again when the summer holiday comes,” he said.

Gym coach Lee Hoi-ling, who runs a fitness studio in Jordan, said the government did not give enough time to prepare for the resumption of services. “We are not a big studio and we don’t have enough time to notify our students,” she said.

Lee also took issue with the government’s failure to offer timely and clear guidelines.

“We just learned about it like everybody else on the news,” Lee said.

Ray Or Chuen-ting, convenor of the Alliance of Fitness, Combat and Sports, also said there had been little consultation from the government, although he was happy to see the rules being relaxed.

Hong Kong Bar and Club Association vice-chairman Chin Chun-wing said that the trade welcomed the reopening but that some remaining restrictions meant business would still not be able to get back into full swing.

He was referring to rules allowing only four people per table, businesses operating at half capacity, no live music performances, and keeping dance floors closed.

“The bottom line is we can open our doors again and it is better than having to keep them shut,” he said, adding that the revenue could help pay rent and staff wages.

He hoped the sector would bounce back quickly as many patrons missed having a drink at a bar, though the ban on having too many people might lead businesses to pass the burden on to customers, such as requiring them to vacate tables more quickly or asking them to buy more drinks.

Simon Wong Ka-wo, chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said the government’s move was timely. “Eateries can now expect more Mother’s Day reservations. It is a family event – allowing groups of eight on a table will help a lot,” he said.

Wong added that the pandemic and the subsequent social-distancing regulations had dealt a big blow to the sector, with about 1,000 restaurants and eateries forced to suspend operations or shut down in the past four months.

Hong Kong set to relax some Covid-19 measures as local situation improves

Gordon Lam Siu-wa, convenor of the Hong Kong Small and Medium Restaurant Federation, said the government had overlooked the interests of small businesses by failing to remove a restriction that required tables to be spaced at least 1.5 metres apart.

“Small food shops are obviously not in the mind of [Hong Kong leader] Carrie Lam. Many small restaurants just can’t benefit because the space there is so limited that they wouldn’t be able to serve more diners if they have to put tables 1.5 metres apart,” he said.

Liberal Party legislator Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, who represents the catering industry, also expressed disappointment that karaoke parlours and nightclubs would remain closed.

“The government has failed to strike a balance between combating the pandemic and maintaining business activities. It is asking a small group in society to shoulder the cost of combating the pandemic,” Cheung, who also sits on the city’s Executive Council, said.

Hong Kong Party Room Association chairman Leonard Lam also said: “It is unfair to exclude us when the government has agreed to relax the ‘one-table, four-people’ restriction for restaurants.

“We believe the risk of infection in a party room is lower than that in a Chinese restaurant. Our guests hold parties in separate rooms. There is no walk-in trade and reservations are required, so we can better control the flow of people to allow sufficient time for clean-up before we entertain another group of guests.”