Thousands Of Restaurants Facing Closure: Allan Zeman

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2020-07-28 HKT 09:11

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  Leading figures in the catering industry are all warning of local eateries having to close forever as a result of the latest measures. Image: Shutterstock

The chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group on Tuesday said thousands of restaurants could close if the government's ban on dining-in continues for more than three weeks.

After reporting 145 new coronavirus cases on Monday, the government announced its strictest measures yet, which include restaurants only serving takeaways, the wearing of face masks both indoors and outdoors, and banning public gatherings of more than two people.

Allan Zeman said 10 percent of the bars and restaurants in the Lan Kwai Fong area have already closed down amid the pandemic.

On Monday, Simon Wong, the president of the Federation of Restaurants, said the measures announced by government – including the total ban on dining-in – are the toughest restrictions the trade has ever encountered.

He told RTHK that the industry would lose HK$5 billion in turnover as a result, and also warned of a fresh wave of restaurant closures should the situation fail to improve soon.