LegCo Approves HK$27bn For Anti-epidemic Fund

The Legislative Council on Tuesday approved a government request to inject HK$27 billion into the anti-epidemic fund to support businesses and individuals affected by the latest coronavirus outbreaks and the tightening of social distancing measures.

More than 50 lawmakers attended the 4.5-hour long online meeting of Legco's Finance Committee, and passed the proposal without opposition.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Edward Yau, said new measures under the fund could help 67,000 companies and 750,000 individuals.

Head of the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office, Doris Ho, said officials would work as quickly as possible on the introduction of a cash subsidy of HK$10,000 to each individual who had become unemployed in light of the latest wave of coronavirus infections.

Ho said she expected the application process to start next month, adding that authorities would make the application procedures simple.

In a statement, Chief Executive Carrie Lam thanked the lawmakers for quickly approving the funding request.

She said it showed the administration and the legislature are co-operating closely and taking solid action in the interest of the community.

Lam said she would instruct relevant government departments to implement various measures quickly.