‘How will we survive?’ firms ask after Hong Kong extends Covid curbs until April

February 23, 2022 Hong Kong Crime & Legal

More small and medium-sized firms will be forced to close down as they have no hope of doing business, warns Hong Kong chamber chief
‘Just like that, we’ve been asked to stop business for four months,’ reads one post on social media account of Tsim Sha Tsui beauty centre

Hong Kong businesses expressed anger over the government’s decision to extend stringent social-distancing measures until April, instead of the usual two weeks, in a bid to contain surging Covid-19 infections, warning the move will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Business chambers warned on Tuesday that the curbs, along with a lengthened ban on flights from nine countries, would not only deal a blow to the city’s reputation as a global financial centre, but also trigger a wave of shutdowns and lay-offs.

Speaking a day before the finance minister unveils his budget, they called on the government to fork out more aid, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).