Customers Return As Eateries Open Their Doors Again

Restaurants on Friday resumed dine-in services after the government made a U-turn on Thursday and relaxed its round-the-clock ban on dining.

At a Chinese restaurant in Cheung Sha Wan, a customer surnamed Wong welcomed the resumption of dine-in services at restaurants although he is worried about the coronavirus situation. He said he would be careful and put on a mask when he is not eating.

“Of course it’s better. It’s more convenient. We’re used to going for ‘yum cha’ every morning,” he said.

Another customer said people should not be over-worried.

“I have to go out and do grocery shopping anyway. Elderly people like us must walk. It’s not good for our legs if we don’t walk,” she said.

A manager of the restaurant said the sudden change caused chaos.

“It’s suddenly banned and it’s sudden relaxed. We didn’t have enough time to restock supplies,” he said.

He said as the restaurant is still suffering great losses as dine-in services are still banned in the evenings. He said the financial burden is still big despite help from the government, as the landlord has refused to cut rents.

Under the modified regulations, restaurants will be allowed to serve its customers during breakfast and lunch time from Friday, but the number of people at a table will be restricted to two.

Restaurants will be allowed to accommodate only half of its seating capacity and tables need to be 1.5 metres apart.