The fifth wave of the epidemic has slowed down. The government today (21st) relaxes social distancing measures in the first phase, but does not include bars, karaoke OK, sparrow halls, etc.
Leung Li-yan, the founding chairman of a licensed bar club in Hong Kong, and industry representatives held a press conference, emphasizing that the industry holds proper licenses, which is not much different from ordinary restaurants, and urged the government to treat it fairly, so that evening entertainment venues can operate normally, otherwise urgent subsidies should be provided .
A representative of the bar industry said that due to the impact of the epidemic, it has been closed for a long time. In order to meet the rent and staff salaries, they had to sell their buildings, cars and watches. They hope that the government will face up to the needs of the industry.
Another representative of the Sparrow Club said that he had sent letters to the Chief Executive's Office many times, but he had not received a response.
Suspension of business for a long time criticized for government crackdown
The government relaxes the anti-epidemic measures in the first stage today, and the streets are crowded with people and gradually return to normal life. However, bars, karaoke OK, mahjong halls, etc. have not yet resumed business.
Leung Li-yan, the founding chairman of the Hong Kong Licensed Bar Club, said that both the industry and restaurants are licensed to operate, and some restaurants even hold liquor licenses issued by the Liquor Licensing Board. and repression.
He continued that due to the impact of the epidemic, the industry has experienced multiple closures and resumptions, and each time it has complied with a number of conditions.
I was disappointed that the authorities still did not approve the industry to resume business, and thought the authorities did not have a reasonable explanation, and instead asked, "Does the virus become serious at night?"
The industry criticized the government for discriminating treatment and urged the relaxation of epidemic prevention measures to allow the evening entertainment industry to operate normally.
(Photo by Li Peizi)
Selling a car and selling a house to pay rent
Zhang Jianing, managing director of Hong Kong Majong Entertainment, described the industry as being in "distress". The Majong Pavilion has been closed for 376 days, and the employees are unable to continue. He hopes that the government will treat the industry equally and allow the industry to survive.
Wang Zhixian, a representative of the bar industry, said that in order to meet the rent and employee salaries, he had sold his buildings, cars and watches. He criticized the government for not allowing the industry to resume business, and did not provide enough funding, saying, "Push us into the fire pit, and then step twice. ".
Another bar industry representative, Zheng Zhikun, who has been running bars for more than 40 years, believes that the government should treat them equally and describe the current situation as unfair.
Call for approval to reopen or increase funding
Liang Liren revealed that the government did not consult the industry this time to relax the epidemic prevention measures, and the existing funding was insufficient.
Liang Rundi, a representative of the mahjong club industry, said that they had sent letters to the Chief Executive's Office many times, but they had not heard back.
The industry urges the government to allow the industry to resume business as soon as possible, otherwise a new round of industry funding should be announced.
If it continues to be unable to operate, Liang Liren believes that the illegal operation will become more and more serious, and there will be a wave of large-scale closures.
▼On April 11, Lan Kwai Fong, the city of bars, is like a dead city at night▼
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The industry is expected to lose billions of dollars in total losses due to the failure of the bar to reopen. 30% of the restaurants in Lan Kwai Fong are expected to be closed, and more than 10% of the industry is expected to close. Diners on the same stage playing side fires: It seems that Disneyland has reopened. Over 100 people are excited to enter the venue. Citizens plan their itinerary early in the morning: I hope it will be a few months before Ocean Park reopens the water park. Gym facilities reopen, residents wear half-face N95 masks to play basketball
