More Easing May Come In A Couple Of Weeks: Expert

An expert who advises the government on its anti-epidemic response said he thinks the government is taking a cautious approach and more measures may be eased in a week or two if the number of new coronavirus cases continued to fall.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, David Hui said the government could relax a restaurant dining restriction to allow four people per table if Hong Kong's Covid-19 situation eases.

The government on Wednesday announced the easing of some anti-epidemic measures from Friday, including extending dining-in at restaurants by one more hour and allowing fitness centres and massage parlours to reopen.

Hui said that if there are no further outbreaks in the next one or two weeks, then there is a good chance that restaurants would be allowed to serve up to four people per table, instead of the current two.

When asked whether the ongoing citywide coronavirus tests could provide a representative figure if eventually less than two million people sign up, Hui said the data will still give important information for authorities to adjust infection control measures.

Meanwhile, while some industries have welcomed the eased restrictions, others expressed disappointment at the new measures.

Ray Or, convenor of the Fitness and Combat Sports Alliance, said although the government now allows fitness centres to hold classes of no more than four people – including the trainer – it will only bring back around 10 percent of business.

“Usually a large part of our income comes from classes. But now we are only allowed to entertain three students in a 5,000-square-feet room, and some people may quit their memberships if they keep failing to be able to book a class,” Or said.

He also said the requirement for people to wear face masks at all times in the gym would be difficult when doing high-intensity classes such as boxing or dancing.

Game arcades will remain closed, much to the disappointment of the industry. The secretary for the Licensed Amusement Game Centres Trade Association, who gave her name as Law, told the radio programme that game arcades have been closed for almost 100 days, and many are trying their best to stay afloat.

She said the business is actually able to comply with conditions imposed on other sectors that are reopening, such as reducing the number of people at each game station and disinfecting the machines after each visitor uses it.

Law said a one-off allowance of HK$100,000 previously handed out to each game arcade was not very useful, as idle game machines are prone to breaking down, and the centres need to keep paying rent and wages.