Patrons have lunch at a Chinese restaurant in Mong Kok, Hong Kong on Oct 30, 2020, the same day social distancing rules are relaxed to allow a maximum of six people per table at restaurants. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG - The year-on-year value of total restaurant receipts in Hong Kong declined by a record 35.3 percent in the third quarter of 2020 amid the third wave of COVID-19 infections, according to figures released Wednesday by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.
But as the local epidemic situation abated in September, total restaurant receipts saw a visibly narrowed decline in the month as compared to those in July and August, an HKSAR government spokesman said.
But as the local epidemic situation abated in September, total restaurant receipts saw a visibly narrowed decline in the month as compared to those in July and August, a HKSAR government spokesman said
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Analyzed by type of restaurant and comparing the third quarter of 2020 with the third quarter of 2019, total receipts of Chinese restaurants and non-Chinese decreased by 46.6 percent and 30.9 percent respectively in value, according figures from the HKSAR government's Census and Statistics Department.
Total receipts of fast food shops and bars decreased by 23.1 percent and 62.7 percent respectively in value. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts decreased by 20.9 percent in value.
The spokesman pointed out that keeping the local epidemic under control will help pave the way for a recovery of the business of restaurants.
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While local consumption sentiment appears to have improved somewhat recently, the business environment of restaurants is likely to remain challenging in the near term as the job and income conditions of the economy are still under pressure and inbound tourism is unlikely to see a swift rebound, he said.
The HKSAR government will monitor the developments closely, he added.
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