This is the first time Hong Kongers have been allowed out after months of lockdown. They are ready for “revenge spending,” the spending that has been pent up during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many Hong Kongers immediately went for manicures, facials, or spa treatments. Others went to the gym, saw movies, ate out, strolled in parks, or visited museums to relieve the fatigue caused by the fifth wave of Covid-19.
Hong Kong people are allowed to go out and experience shopping and dining services from April 21 - Photo: SCMP.
Chloe Cheung, a 27-year-old teacher, decided to “spend revenge” on beauty services, massages, and a yoga class next week. She planned to take four days off to enjoy the services. Chloe spent about 3,500 HKD (more than 10 million VND) and she felt satisfied with it.
"Finally, we are returning to normal life," said Chloe Cheung.
Leung Chun-kit, a 32-year-old office worker, said he recently spent a fortune on an 18-class gym package. Working from home has left him sluggish and unhealthy. Leung also plans to spend the money on tickets to Disneyland with his girlfriend.
Facilities such as gyms, massage and beauty parlors, cinemas, game centers and amusement parks are also busy with bookings.
Businesses in Hong Kong must comply with strict epidemic prevention regulations - Photo: SCMP.
Sarah Vega, 27, booked an appointment last week for a facial and manicure on April 21. She also planned to have dinner and go to the movies with friends over the weekend.
“I felt like I was trying to do all the activities I had missed for the past four months in one weekend. While I was happy that the city was reopening, I was also disappointed that it took so long. Some places like the beach were still closed,” the graduate student said.
Currently, all businesses and venues in Hong Kong are subject to a variety of quarantine measures. For example, high-end restaurants are seeing a surge in bookings, but many are having to take reservations well into June as their opening hours are still limited to 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. This period also limits restaurants to a maximum of four people per table.
Spa and massage services are fully booked until June - Photo: SCMP.
In addition, customers and employees must follow the current Covid-19 vaccination program, in which the first dose must be administered before April 29, the second dose between April 30 and May 30, and the third dose after May 31. Businesses are required to have employees perform rapid Covid-19 tests every three days.
Ray Chui Man-wai, chairman of Kam Kee Holdings, which owns nearly 44 food and beverage establishments with nearly 1,000 employees, is concerned that the cost of meeting the epidemic prevention needs will increase significantly. Rapid Covid-19 testing every three days will also increase the pressure on employees.
"We are not too worried about the additional costs. But for other small and medium-sized enterprises, they will not be able to afford it. Every month, we have to spend 100,000 HKD (more than 292 million VND) on epidemic prevention work," Ray Chui Man-wai said.
