Shoppers Stock Up For Low-key New Year Festivities

Long queues formed at wet markets across the city on Thursday as crowds of people rushed to do some last-minute shopping for their Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner.

Many shoppers said they were left with no choice but to cook at home themselves, because dining at restaurants is still banned in the evenings amid the pandemic.

One woman said she would not meet her relatives during the holiday period.

“The atmosphere in society is so bad… many people are jobless,” she said.

“In previous years, I had dinner at a relative’s home. This year, I have to cook. I will not meet my relatives to avoid any virus transmission.”

Another woman also said she felt this Chinese New Year will not be as festive as usual, but she would try to adapt to the "new normal".

A seller of dried seafood said her business has been hit hard because of the pandemic.

She said she has been forced to offer discounts and sell new products such as ready-made food to boost sales.

The government earlier announced that restaurants can resume dine-in services in the evening from February 18, the seventh day of the Chinese New Year, as long as the city's coronavirus situation remains stable.