Ban On Play Centres Unreasonable, Say Operators

Operators of children's indoor play areas and entertainment centres have become the latest group to criticise the government over its current social distancing measures, saying curbs on them are unreasonable as health risks at their venues are low.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong Family Centres Trade Association, Alan Tang, said the government is ignorant about their business and that is why it is continuing a ban on their operations.

There is no physical contact between customers and everyone can be required to wear face masks throughout, the operators said.

But places like restaurants where people have to take their masks off, and massage parlours where physical contact is necessary, are allowed to operate, said Tang.

He said many of the approximately 80 venues operating in the city are "on the brink of collapse", with landlords refusing to budge much on rent reduction.

Around 90 percent of operators are missing out on rent payments and estimated the sector is losing more than HK$60 million per month in expenses because of the closure, he said.

They can also enhance measures like providing disposable gloves, clean the machines regularly, cut capacity and close high risk facilities, like ball pits, if needed, the operators said.

Lawmaker Shiu Ka-fai, who represents the wholesale and retail sectors, said these business owners are desperate to reopen.

"Their industry has shut down their shops for nearly 93 days, how can they survive without any income. So I think government they have to balance the citizens' health and also the economy," he said.