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Written by: Ouyang Dehao
2021-04-12 15:10
Last update date: 2021-04-12 15:11
The new crown pneumonia epidemic in Hong Kong continues. The Food and Health Bureau announced earlier that it would require all restaurants in Hong Kong to increase the air exchange rate to at least 6 times per hour or install suitable air purification equipment on or before April 30.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has also set up a working group on ventilation volume requirements for restaurants to assist restaurants in formulating specific measures. Detailed guidelines on ventilation volume requirements for restaurants will be announced today (12th).
Huang Jielong, chairman of the Xufulou Group and president of the Rice Seedling Society, said that restaurants were still prohibited from operating evening dine-in meals at the end of last year. At that time, the government used the air exchange rate as a relaxation condition. I believe the industry will be willing to accept it.
"Thousands of mosquitoes are difficult? Of course, every mosquito is difficult, but rather than having a night market, I would rather have a few thousand mosquitoes out." He also pointed out that although time is tight, it brings a lot of psychology to the industry. Under pressure, some electrical appliance manufacturers have launched a "one-stop service", and the government is willing to allow restaurants to postpone conditions.
According to the FEHD’s website, as of today, only 111 restaurants have met the new requirement that the air exchange rate reaches 6 times per hour or the air purification equipment has been installed.
There are currently 12,238 licensed restaurants and factory canteens in Hong Kong. Based on this calculation, only 0.9% of restaurants comply with the government's ventilation regulations.
The Food and Health Bureau announced earlier that it would require all restaurants in Hong Kong to increase the air exchange rate to at least 6 times per hour or install suitable air purification equipment on or before April 30.
(Photo/Photo by Zheng Zifeng)
The guidelines issued by the government today set out the calculation formulas for the ventilation of restaurants, the methods to increase the ventilation rate, and the air purification equipment that meets the specifications. However, Huang Jielong, Chairman of the Sufulou Group and President of the Rice Seedling Society, said bluntly, "Generally we are It’s so difficult to understand the complicated calculations of a restaurant. Conceptually, you only need to know.” He explained that the person in charge of the restaurant must hire an engineering consultant to renew the license with the government every year, including the scope of exhaust ventilation, so the restaurant only Need to wait for professional advice to complete the requirements of the government.
Huang Jielong suggested that the industry adopt the installation of air purification equipment and try to avoid large-scale projects, so as not to spend time on the project and start construction.
(Photo/Photo by Ou Jiale)
"But rather than having dinner in the evening market, I would rather have a few thousand mosquitoes out."
However, there are only 18 days left before the deadline of April 30, and it is difficult for restaurants to increase the air exchange rate at one hour or three. Huang Jielong advises the industry to install air purification equipment and avoid large-scale projects as much as possible to avoid time-consuming work and construction.
He also revealed that the catering industry has reached a consensus with chambers of commerce related to ventilation and that the cost of hiring consultants will remain at the previous price. "If you talk about a small restaurant, one or two thousand mosquitoes are already not much difference."
Although consultant fees and air purification equipment cost only a few thousand dollars, restaurants have experienced more than a year of hardship, even if they spend thousands of dollars in expenditures or burdens.
Huang Jielong said frankly that "everyone is suffering from toothache if business is not good." However, he revealed that restaurants were still prohibited from operating evening dine-in at the end of last year. About half a year of tolerance, I believe the industry will be willing to accept it.
"Thousands of mosquitoes are difficult? Of course, even one mosquito is difficult, but rather than having a night market, I would rather have a few thousand mosquitoes out."
▼From April 1st, arrangements for epidemic prevention measures and discussions on travel bubbles ▼
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The government has conditions to allow restaurants to postpone
Huang also disclosed that the industry had discussed with the government to provide subsidies for the addition of air purification equipment, but the authorities responded that the cost of the equipment was included in the amount of "anti-epidemic 4.0".
He also pointed out that although time is tight and has brought a lot of psychological pressure to the industry, some electrical appliance companies have launched a "one-stop service", from hiring consultants to purchasing electrical appliances, and even providing rental services.
At the same time, the government has stated that it can extend the deadline if it provides proofs, such as documents for air purification equipment, and proof of inspections by engineering consultants.
However, Huang Jielong also revealed that about 30 of his restaurants have completed the increase in ventilation and registered with the government authorities two to three weeks ago. However, as of today, most of his restaurants have not been listed on the government website.
According to the FEHD’s list, only 99 and 12 licensed general restaurants with air exchange rates of 6 times per hour and licensed general restaurants equipped with air purification equipment respectively meet the requirements.
In other words, there are more than 10,000 restaurants in Hong Kong, only 111 of them comply with the new government regulations.
▼Eat dinner on the streets of the citizens under the prohibition of dinning in the evening market▼
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