The fifth wave of the epidemic has been raging for nearly half a year. After closing at the beginning of the year, bars, sparrow halls, karaoke and other places were finally allowed to reopen today (19th).
The long-awaited closure has made it difficult for the two major karaoke chains in Hong Kong to survive, with less than 15 branches remaining.
After the government announced the reopening, some people were eager to make reservations to sing, and some branch reservations exploded until next week.
Some members of the public came to the door to sing K this afternoon, but they had no choice but to "make persistent efforts" to try their luck at a nearby karaoke branch.
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RedMR has lost 40% of its staff
After being closed for 132 days, karaoke was finally reopened. Qiu Weikang, general manager of RedMR, revealed that many large-scale disinfections had been arranged during the closure period, and guidelines had been formulated to ensure a hygienic environment after customers left.
Although it has been approved to resume business, the group is facing the pressure of manpower shortage and rent. The manpower alone has lost 40%. Even if the salary is increased, it cannot be replenished.
Only 60% of the karaoke business will reply
Even if the store operates catering business at the same time, it is estimated that the catering and karaoke business can only recover 60% after comparing with the data of last year.
He explained that because the proportion of K rooms with more than 10 people is higher, in other words, no matter the area, only 8 people can enter the room at most, the per capita consumption has declined, and the income in disguised form has been affected.
Subject to the maximum number of people, the price has also been adjusted.
At present, RedMR still separates the fees for the head and the box. If the latter is an example, for a party room with more than 10 people, assuming that the charge used to be 8,000 yuan, the price is now reduced by 60% to about 5,000 yuan. I'll take back as much money as you have."
Qiu Weikang, general manager of RedMR, estimates that only 60% of the catering and karaoke business can be answered.
(Photo by O Jiale)
RedMR: The ideal number of reservations is not ideal
The reporter called RedMR yesterday to try to book a room, but the staff responded that the rooms in each branch were full in the next 3 days.
Qiu Weikang revealed that a large number of people have made reservations recently, and they have even made reservations for next week's schedule.
But he emphasized that the majority of customers who book rooms are 4 to 6 people: "The bookings are ideal, but the number of people is not ideal."
At present, karaoke OK, bars, nightclubs and other premises must be closed before 2 am.
He hoped that the government could ease the restrictions to more than 8 people as soon as possible, and the business hours would resume from 4 am to 6 am.
"A lot of Hong Kong people, even if they are playing, eat and bury dinner until 10 o'clock."
Qiu also believes that karaoke is safer than restaurants and restaurants, including compliance with government regulations on vaccination and ventilation systems, as well as independent toilets, customers must wear masks and use microphone sets when singing K, and staff inspections will be arranged. Room.
He hopes that the government will no longer order the closure of business: "Frankly speaking, we are safer, but the point is that we stop first every time, and we have to wait until the end to open first?"
Wan Chai Neway is full tonight
The reporter also went to Wanchai Neway at 5 pm to observe the situation and found that more than 10 people were already waiting in the lobby for "prime time".
Afterwards, under the monitoring of the staff, they successively entered the corridor with vaccine passes.
The staff said that the room was only available from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm today, and the subsequent time slots were full.
Mrs. Chen, who came to sing K, shouted, and she felt happy and excited that singing K was finally lifted. She bluntly said that she had been trapped at home for nearly half a year and had never sang a song.
She said that before the epidemic, she sang K twice a month with her friends. In order to relax today, she could sing K, and her friend had booked a room earlier than last week.
She said that she was going to sing until 12 midnight, including songs by Xu Xiaofeng, Anita Mui and Zhu Mimi.
"If you don't make Minato-sun sing all afternoon."
Citizens hope to sing Jiang Tao's song
There are only people who are happy and others who are sad. Mr. Chen and his girlfriend have no reservations, so Hung Hom improvised to try their luck.
Although I was full of joy and hoped to sing Jiang Tao's "I love you with my mouth covered", but was told by the staff that the room was full.
He admitted that he was "slightly disappointed", and was ready to try his luck at RedMR in Causeway Bay. If there was no room, he might sing at a friend's "private sinus".
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