Hong Kong's various sectors facing unprecedented hit due to COVID-19: HKSAR chief executive

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that many sectors in Hong Kong are facing an unprecedented strike due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the retail sector, which has seen the biggest decline on record.

The retail sales statistics of February 2020 to be released by the HKSAR government on Tuesday afternoon will show the biggest decline on record, Lam said at a press conference on Tuesday morning.

Various sectors in Hong Kong, including retail and catering, are facing an unprecedented strike due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, she said, adding that the HKSAR government hopes to provide appropriate support to these sectors and relevant employees as soon as possible.

While announcing a new round of anti-epidemic measures last week, including the 14-day prohibition of group gatherings with more than four people in public places, limits on restaurant services and temporary closure of entertainment premises, the HKSAR government understood that the measures would deal a blow to relevant sectors and thus announced to launch a second round of relief measures under its anti-epidemic fund, Lam noted.

The second round of relief measures, estimated to cost billions of Hong Kong dollars, will provide support to the badly hit sectors and relevant employees, she said.

The chief executive said she has called on property owners to reduce rents to help the businesses tide over difficulties.