Prince Edward Bars Don't Waste A Second In Reopening

Bars in the Prince Edward area were among the first businesses to take advantage of an easing in coronavirus restrictions, with some pulling up their shutters at the stroke of midnight on Thursday as thirsty customers waited to be served.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced on Tuesday that a range of businesses would be allowed to reopen from Friday after the SAR went more than two weeks without a locally-transmitted coronavirus case.

While cinemas, gyms and beauty parlours are expected to wait until daylight to open their doors, some bar owners and patrons wasted no time in getting back to business.

At one bar near Prince Edward Road, a woman who'd been waiting to get in said she'd found the month-long bar closure boring and had been drinking at home more often. She said she'd asked a friend to join her for an early-hours tipple.

A bar manager said the area had been dead since the closure order was implemented on March 29, although he was concerned that some patrons wouldn't want to remove a mask.

Under the new restrictions, reopened bars can only operate at 50 percent of their capacity, and there must be no live bands or dancing. People will also have to keep their masks on, except when imbibing.

Many bars have been able to stay open during the shutdown because they have food licences, although patrons have had to order a meal with their drinks.