[Easing Epidemic Prevention Measures/Relaxing Social Distancing Measures Phase 2/Bar Epidemic Prevention Measures/Bar Business Hours/Karaoke Injections] The fifth wave of the epidemic has eased, and the number of cases has dropped to 200 to 300.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced this morning (10th) that next Thursday (19th) will reopen all listed premises in Chapter 599F as scheduled, including bars, nightclubs, party rooms, sparrow halls, etc.
Qian Junyong, chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, said frankly that half of the employees have left their nests and will not return after the epidemic. The industry is facing a shortage of manpower. Therefore, even if the epidemic has not ended, he is still willing to raise his monthly salary by 2,000 yuan, hoping to attract practitioners in the catering industry to join.
He also revealed that the association is planning to make the bar a unique symbol of Hong Kong in order to attract young people to join the industry.
Zhang Jianing, a representative of the mahjong house industry, stressed that he would comply with the government's regulations and was glad that the employees were willing to "return to the nest" to work.
▼5.19 Reopening of listed premises in Chapter 599F▼
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Reopening of bars is a big problem, old pals are gone
The resumption of business is about to take place. Qian Junyong, chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Industry Association, admitted that the biggest difficulty in the industry at present is hiring employees.
He explained that during the fifth wave of closures, many employees were left without pay and had to seek other jobs.
However, working during the day can save transportation costs compared to working late at night. Therefore, some employees are reluctant to return to the bar industry after they are gradually familiar with the working environment.
Some employees are worried that the bar industry will close again in the future, and do not want to change their working environment again. Half of the employees have changed careers, and the industry can only increase their salaries to hire employees. tight man.
Chin Chun-yong, Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association
In order to attract new blood, it is $2000 higher than the restaurant industry to grab people
In order to attract new blood, Qian revealed that the current salary offered by the bar industry is 2,000 yuan higher than that of the daytime catering industry, which is about 17,000 yuan.
However, there are still some employees who are worried that the bar industry will close again in the future, or are unwilling to change their working environment again.
"Half of the reason is that the relationship returns first, so the industry has not invited enough people, and it is eager to get people."
▼On April 11, Lan Kwai Fong, the city of bars, is like a dead city at night▼
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Bar Association: Preparing activities to attract young people into the industry
However, Qian Junyong also admitted that due to the impact of the epidemic on business, the overall salary of the whole bank was adjusted to 17,000 yuan.
He estimated that some bars with insufficient staff will still open as usual, but the quality of service may decline.
At the same time, bars are different from restaurants, relying on employees to build regular relationships with customers, so he reiterated that talent is very important to the bar industry.
After the resumption of business on May 19, the government stipulated that the maximum number of people in each bar is four, the business hours are until 1:59 midnight, and the number of customers is 75% of the maximum capacity of the premises.
(File photo/Photo by Liang Pengwei)
Qian also revealed that in view of the lack of young labor supply, the association will promote bar culture in the future, such as organizing guided tours, publicizing the characteristics and history of bars, hoping to make bars a unique symbol of Hong Kong, in order to attract young people to join the bar industry.
As for the preparation of other drinks and food, he said there was no problem.
After the resumption of business next week, the government stipulates that each bar will be limited to four people, open until 1:59 late at night, and the number of customers will be 75% of the maximum capacity of the premises.
Qian said that the latest relaxation arrangement does not meet the expectations of the industry, and it is suggested that the business hours should be relaxed to 5 am, and the limit of four people can be barely accepted.
"The government has no choice but to listen, and there is nothing we can do."
The Sparrow House is grateful for the relaxation and fortunate that the employees are willing to "return to the nest"
Zhang Jianing, managing director of Hong Kong Majong Entertainment, stressed that the industry will comply with government regulations, including quick testing for employees every three days, frequent disinfection and cleaning of premises, and customers scanning the QR code of "Safe Travel".
As for the manpower problem faced by the bar industry, he admitted that he was worried about employees changing careers at first, but he was glad that they were willing to "return to the nest" to work.
Zhang is grateful to the government for relaxing the arrangement this time, especially in terms of business hours. Since the number of customers is 75% of the maximum capacity of the premises, he thinks there is nothing wrong with it, and he admits that restaurants must abide by the same regulations.
"The market is so bad, even if it's 100% open, I'm not sure it will be full of people."
Relaxation of social distancing | What is the reopening of bars and other premises on 5.19? List of business hours and maximum number of people Sparrow halls, bars, etc. have not reopened for the time being Industry representatives: It’s not fair, our risk is so low The industry denounces the government for discriminating against the brokerage for holding a fake pin card at the bar, but the official reprimands him for ignoring the epidemic and sentenced to 200 hours of social service