Why Ban on Dine-in Restaurants lasted in HK for 2 days only?

Posted in Blog, F&B News Hong Kong on July 30, 2020 by Lilian Leave a Comment

A ban on Dine-in Restaurants started yesterday in HK. The Government has made a U-turn and relaxed the ban just 2 days after it’s imposed. Why?

A ban on dine-in Restaurants was put in force yesterday, in view of Coronavirus spike. However, it was under slam for the first day. As many people had their takeaways on streets or even inside toilets, which are not acceptable in a civilized city.

Under the third wave of Covid-19, the Government has imposed a series of regulations in Hong Kong. By early July, restaurants could serve dine-in customers until 6pm. Further restriction has been imposed recently. That’s no dining inside all restaurants.

Apparently, this regulation is in good intention to curb the virus spread. Nevertheless, it’s not under full consideration of its impact.

But why Hong Kong could not lockdown all restaurants but other cities could do?

Ban on dining inside restaurants for two days only in HK

Ban on dining in – Impact on Restaurants

In past few months, the food and beverage industry has been hardly hit by Covid-19 outbreak. Some operators have no choice but closed the business. While some restaurants are still struggling to survive.

But it can’t last long if the situation is getting worse. In particular, restriction on dining inside restaurants is indeed a further blow on FB sector.

As witnessed by Lacrucci, more than 90% of restaurants in Soho Central did not open last evening, even though restaurants could serve food delivery and takeout.

HK Soho Central is dead quiet after ban on dining inside restaurants

Ban on dining in – Impact on Diners

Yesterday, some Hongkongers had to eat outdoors when dining inside restaurants were not permitted.

Sadly, we have never seen such a scene in Hong Kong. Construction workers, cleaners and delivery people had their takeaways on street under heavy rains.

Also, there is growing concern in the city that eating on streets is not only unhygienic, but also induces more infections. At last, the Government has relaxed the regulation after 36 hours.

Why ban on dining inside restaurant can’t work in HK?

Hong Kong is not in a complete lockdown. Meanwhile, schools are closing. Many office workers are working from home. But still, some people are still working as usual, especially for those blue-collar workers.

Among all, construction workers, cleaning workers and delivery people could not bring their takeaways to office. Instead, they have to eat outdoors after the ban on dining inside restaurants.

Even worse, these people work outdoors under severe heat all day long. Hence lunch is the only time when they can sit down in an air-conditioning environment.

In fact, ban on dining inside restaurants has caused an inhuman consequence. The Government has thus on U-turn and released the restriction at last. The ban on dine-in after 6pm will remain.

What’s next?

We don’t really know when the third wave of Pandemic in Hong Kong will end? Restaurant operators are working hard to survive, whereas Hongkongers are trying hard not to catch with the virus.

Hope all measures can help to stop the virus spread!