A woman walks past a banner announcing the temporary closure of venue in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay area on Jan 8, 2022, as gyms, bars and evening restaurant dining are closed following the announcement of strict new anti-coronavirus controls after the detection of the Omicron coronavirus variant. (BERTHA WANG / AFP)

The Home Affairs Bureau of Hong Kong said on Friday it has started disbursing subsidies to successful applicants of schemes for the fitness and arts sectors under the latest round of the Anti-epidemic Fund. 

As of Friday, over 1,000 applications had been received for the Sports Premises and Fitness Centre subsidy schemes. More than 300 eligible applications have been approved, involving a subsidy of over HK$15 million, according to a government press release. 

Additionally, the Sports and Recreational Sites Subsidy Scheme received 58 applications. Of them, 55 eligible applications have been approved, involving a subsidy of HK$2.75 million. 

READ MORE: HK to issue subsidies, extend COVID-19 curbs

The bureau has also disbursed a HK$40,000 one-off subsidy to each of some 100 performing arts groups affected by the epidemic. 

Entrusted by the government, the Arts Development Council and the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong have started disbursing a HK$5,000 one-off subsidy to each eligible individual arts practitioner and freelancer. 

As at Jan 27, the two organizations have disbursed subsidies to 1,275 people. 

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Separately, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department is disbursing ex-gratia payments for the cancellation of FarmFest 2022 to successful applicants. 

As of Friday, the department has received 53 applications, of which 36 have been approved. Crossed cheques are being posted to the successful applicants, involving payments of around HK$180,000.