The government has announced that it plans to expand the scope of the "vaccine bubble" to include 18 types of premises including restaurants before the Chinese New Year, and that citizens must have received at least one dose of vaccine before entering.
Huang Jiahe, president of the Food and Beverage Association, pointed out that the Lunar New Year is the peak of the catering industry. Restaurants have always received a lot of reservations for group dinners and spring teas before the Lunar New Year. The industry is of course worried that business will be affected by the new measures.
Huang Jiahe pointed out that in the future, front-line employees of restaurants will need to check whether customers have been vaccinated. The actual implementation will increase the workload of employees. Moreover, "front-line employees are most worried about criminal liability. If the inspection fails, they will be fined. Dine-in can put pressure on employees and restaurants.” He suggested that the authorities need to provide clear guidelines on how frontline staff at restaurants should check diners’ injection certificates.
Huang Jiahe, President of the Food and Beverage Association.
(Profile picture)
The government plans to expand the scope of the "vaccine bubble" before the Chinese New Year, that is, before February.
(Profile picture)
The Secretary for Food and Health, Chen Zhaoshi, announced at the epidemic press conference today (31st) that he plans to expand the scope of the "vaccine bubble" before the Chinese New Year, that is, before February.
Currently regulated by Chapter 599F, 18 types of premises including restaurants, such as theaters, fitness centers, gymnasiums, libraries, sports venues, etc., must be vaccinated when entering the public.
In addition, employees on the premises also need to complete the vaccination before the specified deadline. Only those who do not meet the vaccination requirements or have a doctor's certification that they are not suitable for vaccination can be exempted.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Chen Zhaoshi, has announced that a series of measures will be tightened.
(Photo by Yu Junliang)
Lunar New Year is the peak period of the catering industry, industry worries about business impact
Huang Jiahe, president of the Food and Beverage Association, said that it is believed that the authorities have expanded the scope of the "vaccine bubble" because they are worried about the outbreak of the Omicron epidemic in the community.
He pointed out that the industry is also worried that if the Omicron epidemic spreads in Hong Kong, "it will not go back to the old road and strictly restrict gatherings. The business volume will be reduced and the industry will not want to see it." However, it is not expected that the authorities will suddenly speed up the implementation of measures.
Related measures were implemented before the Lunar New Year. Huang Jiahe pointed out that the Lunar New Year is the peak period of the catering industry. Before the Lunar New Year, restaurants will receive a lot of reservations for group dinners and spring teas. Impact of new measures.
However, he pointed out that some people may choose to buy takeaways because they have not been vaccinated. I believe they can help supplement the restaurant business. "Don’t worry too much." To control the epidemic, restaurants also need to cooperate.
Suggest that the authorities provide clearer guidelines for restaurants
In addition to business extras, Huang Jiahe said that in the future, front-line employees of restaurants will need to check whether customers have been vaccinated. Actual implementation will increase the workload of employees.
He pointed out that the current banquets in Category D catering business premises require attendees to receive injections. Many hotels also arrange for special personnel to check the injection certificates of guests. However, if the measures are extended to other small restaurants in the future, there may not be enough staff to respond. "Front-line employees are most worried about the issue of criminal liability. If the inspection fails, they will be fined to stop eating, which will put pressure on the employees and the restaurant." He suggested that in the future, the authorities need to do something about how the front-line staff of the restaurant will check the diners’ injection certificates, etc. Clear guidance.
Huang Jiahe, President of the Food and Beverage Association.
(Profile picture)
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