Blue-collars Bear The Brunt Of Dine-in Ban

Blue-collar workers are seen scrambling to find a decent place to eat, with the suspension of dine-in services from Wednesday as the government tightens its anti-epidemic measures.

Some restaurants in Admiralty placed "out of service" notices on their tables, while others cordoned them off altogether.

Many office workers could be seen buying takeaways, saying they will bring the food back to their workplace.

However, some construction workers were seen eating outside the restaurants or on the side of the streets.

Some of them said the government's latest arrangement has made their lives very difficult as they don't have an office to go to and simply can't find a decent place to eat.

Others were seen scrambling for cover as rain started to fall on parts of Hong Kong Island at noon.

Speaking on an RTHK programme, the chairman of the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union, Wong Ping, said the ban means construction workers have to consume their meals outdoors either at the construction site, or on the streets, rain or shine.

He said workers will be deprived of a chance to rest and cool down after having worked for hours in the sweltering heat, and some of them could be prone to heatstroke.

The head of the Cleaning Service Industry Workers Union, Denny To, meanwhile, said many cleaners won’t have a place to eat and may end up eating inside refuse-collection points or public toilets.

He said the arrangement is far from ideal, warning it could easily lead to even more hygiene problems.

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