Nightlife Sector Slams Continued Closure

Representatives of nightlife businesses have called on the government to let them reopen as soon as possible, saying it’s unfair for them to be left out of the current move to relax social distancing measures.

Bars, pubs, karaoke lounges and mahjong parlours are among businesses that have to remain closed, while other entertainment and leisure venues such as cinemas, gyms and beauty parlours can now resume operations.

Ben Leung, founding president of the Licensed Bar and Club Association of Hong Kong, called the differential treatment “discriminatory and unfair”.

He questioned why restaurants can open but not bars and pubs, despite the similarity in the way they operate.

“The standard [on closing] is not based on the [public health] risk level of a premises, it is certainly based on the industry itself. Because the administration has a bias against us, that's why we are still forced to close until now”, he said.

Chris Cheung, who represents the mahjong parlour sector, said the industry has been forced to shutter for more than a year in total since the pandemic began.

He said nightlife businesses are in a dire situation despite relief measures provided by the authorities.

“We appreciate the help from the government, but we don't want to look like a beggar, because what the government’s paid us is really not equivalent to what we have lost,” he said.

"We are not greedy. We’re not asking the government to pay a huge sum of money, but at least [it should be] a reasonable amount. With a really small amount, we cannot support the livelihood of the staff and the livelihood of the operators."

Cheung also cautioned that the continued closure of nightlife businesses would have a far-reaching impact.