Diners Brush Off Virus Fears For Mother's Day

Local restaurants were packed and business at florists across the city was humming as the city emerged from its coronavirus shell to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday.

Thanks to newly-eased public gathering restrictions, families were able to sit together in tables for eight people – double the previous limit – to show their love and appreciation for their mums.

One dim sum restaurant in Mong Kok was full of customers, as staff struggled to keep the mandated 1.5 metres between tables.

One woman surnamed Chan told RTHK this was the first time she was able to meet her mum in months – since the coronavirus epidemic took hold in Hong Kong.

With three generations of her family sitting at the same table, she started weeping as spoke of her gratitude for her mother’s understanding.

“I hope everyone can stay healthy. Her love is difficult to put into words”, she said.

“It’s quite something that she didn’t mind that I wasn’t able to visit or ‘yum cha’ with her for all this time during the epidemic.”

Another man presented his mum with a bouquet made of soap – as the coronavirus crisis seemed to hover in the minds of many.

“Sure I’m worried” he said. “But elderly folk, they love to go out to ‘yum cha’"

In previous years, he said, they had more than 20 people getting together for Mother’s Day meals, but this year, they had to settle for a smaller crowd.

Still, the din at the restaurant is a welcome change from weeks of empty tables. A manager said business should much better for the day, but still, because they have to increase the spaces between tables, profits won’t be as good as in previous years.

A mother of four, Judy, at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui said she was very happy that she was finally able to eat outside together with her entire family.

“In the past we just have four people… At least half of my family members sit on the next table… It’s not meaningful, we don’t want to go outside”, she said.

However, she wondered what the point of a gathering limit of eight was, when the crowds were so large anyway.

“No matter [what] the number, it’s not meaningful, I think”, she said.

Florists at Fa Yuen street in Mong Kok were also doing brisk business on Sunday morning as people flocked there to buy last-minute bouquets before lunch.

Among them was a man who decided to buy four bouquets all at once – for his wife, mum, and two aunts.

“I wish them good health!” he said.

Some businesses there told RTHK they actually did better business on this Mother’s Day than in previous years.