The fifth wave of the new crown epidemic hit, the government announced the extension of social distancing measures, including the ban on dine-in in the evening market, until the 3rd of next month (the third day of the lunar new year), and Chinese New Year restaurants, New Year's Eve businesses and large-scale events also failed.
The proprietors, employees and self-employed people are facing various levels of shutdowns. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor predicted that the prices of many goods would rise again.
Middle- and high-income earners are less affected by price fluctuations, but they are not able to go out for leisure as usual.
The end of the year is difficult. The government wants to bail out the people. In addition to launching the fifth round of anti-epidemic funds, it also needs to "quickly and accurately" reduce the cost of living for ordinary citizens and alleviate the impact of increasing the cost of goods. The most important thing is to do everything possible to curb the epidemic.
The government has tightened freight arrangements, and the capacity of Cathay Pacific, the leader in local air freight, has been reduced by 20%. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor predicted that fresh food, electronic products and medicines may increase in prices, or even "some things will not be available."
The impact of Cathay Pacific’s flight restrictions on consumers depends on the situation of various industries. A representative of the logistics industry said that the general public need not worry too much, because most of the daily food and supplies come from the mainland, and the supply of the mainland is generally stable. General residents have little impact.
Furthermore, the industry may not pass all the extra expenses on to consumers. For example, merchants can reduce rents to offset logistics costs, or they can adapt to social restrictions. Reduce the price of lunch boxes and focus on takeaway without fear of the ban on dine-in.
The ban on dine-in in the evening market has been suspended since January 7. In the evening, there are long lines of people buying takeaways outside the restaurant, and there are rows of "jitai" in the store.
(Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Worry about the price increase, more worry about the job
Carrie Lam's industry expects that the flight restriction will have a greater impact on expensive goods. Even though Cathay Pacific only accounts for 30% of the weight of imported air cargo, the industry may not be able to find other airlines to replace it immediately due to factors such as air rights restrictions.
In any case, the epidemic has indeed led to chaos in the global supply chain. Regardless of the doubling of the cost of sea, land and air transportation, it is believed that consumers do not have to bear the full cost, but also part of it.
Compared with suffering from expensive prices, citizens are more worried that the epidemic will break their jobs.
During the Lunar New Year period, the closure of designated premises and the ban on dine-in in the evening market have caused the company to lose a lot of budget, and many employees have stopped.
The ban on dine-in dinners in the evening market will be temporarily scheduled for two weeks from January 7. There are only one "Jitai" left in the restaurants in Wanbu, and the restaurants have turned to takeaways to attract customers with discounts.
(Photo by Luo Guohui)
Bailouts must protect logistics
As the saying goes, the New Year's Eve is difficult to pass, but this trip must be especially sad.
The society hopes that the fifth wave of the epidemic can ease within a month, but it often takes longer for the market to recover.
Going back to the origin, this time the social restriction measures originated from the government's omission, allowing the crew to spread the Omicron variant virus in the community.
In order to bear the responsibility for the negligence of fighting the epidemic and offset some of the price increases, the government must properly support the affected industries, workers and the general public at this moment.
In addition to the fifth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund, the government can also consider reinstating high transportation subsidies, waiving some government charges, etc., so that citizens can save a little more money in their pockets for the Chinese New Year.
In addition to subsidies, the government must also keep in touch with the logistics industry at all times to prevent the supply chain of individual goods from breaking. The above-mentioned drugs and electronic products are not all "only for the rich", and the middle and lower classes may also need to use them. If the price is too expensive or out of stock, they also suffer.
The government and the AA can reduce or exempt landing fees and other concessions, and invite Cathay Pacific and other airlines to arrange closed-loop flight crews to maintain air transport stability.
Leading the fight against the epidemic requires credibility. The government must keep the responsibility in check. Is Hong Kong capable of doing large-scale testing?
The epidemic has come to the fifth wave, and the anti-epidemic measures should not stop in the past