Hong Kong’s restaurants welcomed groups of up to 12 patrons this week as eased social-distancing rules took effect, with operators expecting bigger crowds by dinnertime.
The latest relaxation of restrictions did not lead to a visible surge in large gatherings at eateries in the morning, but some residents were keen on taking advantage of the higher threshold.
At One Cuisine dim sum restaurant in Ma On Shan, a group of nine women gathered to celebrate two of their birthdays. They were the only table of more than six people at the restaurant at the time.
Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.
Virginia Fung, one of the diners in the group who is in her sixties, told the Post enthusiastically that the relaxed dining limit had made her day.
“I feel very excited right now, the atmosphere is so much better in a large group,” Fung said. “I will definitely gather in larger groups to dine out, maybe even 18 people at two tables.”
Up to 12 people are now allowed per table at eateries, up from eight, while the maximum number of guests at banquets has been increased from 120 to 240. Bars and nightclubs can take up to six per table, from four previously.
But diners in groups of more than 12, as well as patrons at bars and clubs, are still required to show a negative rapid antigen test result before entry.
The 12-customer rule also applies to premises such as gyms conducting group activities and yoga classes, as well as party rooms and karaoke lounges.
Hong Kong can ease Covid social distancing now, adopt ‘0+0’ regime soon: experts
Ng Yuk-tsun, manager of One Cuisine’s Ma On Shan branch, said while he had not received bookings of up to 12 guests for the morning, there were three such appointments for the evening.
“This is within expectations, I think more people will book in large groups when holidays come around,” Ng said.
Simon Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said eateries, especially dim sum restaurants, had seen a rise of 10 per cent in bookings, some in groups of 12, mostly set for evenings.
He said he was “optimistic” about the easing of the measures, expecting it would boost consumption along with the second batch of government-issued shopping vouchers, released on October 1.
Hong Kong’s jobless rate falls to 4.7 per cent as Covid situation improves
Over at King Harbour Restaurant, also in Ma On Shan, a Post reporter observed an 80 per cent occupancy rate in the morning, but no sight yet of groups of up to 12, with the biggest tables seating only six patrons.
“We have four bookings for tables of 12 tonight, and we have set aside one or two more large tables for walk-in groups of 12,” a manager of the restaurant, who only gave her surname as Chiang, said.
She expressed hope that more bookings for larger tables would emerge as residents adjusted to the eased measures, but added that tables of more than six were rare since the pandemic started.
Hong Kong residents head to restaurants, malls eager to spend consumption vouchers
Pau Fai, a retired construction worker, who had morning dim sum with his wife at King Harbour, said the last time he dined out in a group of 12 was three years ago.
The retiree, in his sixties, lamented that fear of catching Covid-19 would outweigh the policy relaxation for large dining groups.
“Most of my friends haven’t retired yet and they are worried about not being able to go to work if they catch Covid-19 from restaurants,” Pau said.
More from South China Morning Post:
- Coronavirus: Hong Kong can ease social-distancing rules now, adopt ‘0+0’ scheme in coming weeks, health experts say
- Hong Kong parents, child development expert call for school meal Covid-19 restrictions to fall into line with restaurants
For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2022.
