Mid-Autumn Revellers Shrug Off Covid Worries

Hong Kongers headed out on Saturday to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival, with some saying the Covid situation has little impact on the festivities.

People began arriving at West Kowloon Cultural District on Saturday afternoon to secure a good spot for moon-gazing, when the moon is supposed to be at its fullest and brightest in a year.

Some told RTHK they will spend the evening with family and friends and said they weren't too worried about the Covid situation.

"We're having a family dinner, and after that we'll go out to watch the light installations," said a woman who was with her daughter.

"People seem relaxed here, and unaffected by the Covid situation. I don't think we have to be too worried if we've been completely jabbed."

Some diners at a Lok Fu restaurant said they had made dinner reservations to celebrate the occasion, but they were not happy that parties of eight people or more have to get tested before eating out.

"We used to have more people, sitting at several tables, because we didn't have to get swabbed. It's extremely disturbing. Now the entire world has opened up, but the government is still asking us to do things like this. It's not practical," said a man surnamed Lai.

But another diner surnamed Chu said he did not mind the requirement.

"Anyone eating out has gotten used to it. We're gathering for Mid-Autumn Festival, and eating out can help Hong Kong's economy."