Business for wet markets in Yau Tsim Mong district has dropped 80 to 90 percent since the coronavirus outbreak, yet many stall owners could not benefit from the government’s Anti Epidemic Fund, vendors said in a press conference today. Ken Yim Kwok-kuen, a vegetable stall owner at Kwun Chung Market, said that his business has dropped more than 80 percent since the third wave of the pandemic. However, I only earn around HK$1,000 to HK$1,500 a day now,"Despite receiving HK$80,000 subsidy from the retail sector subsidy scheme, Yim said that it could hardly help his business. Also, less people are willing to shop at wet markets now, fearing the spread of the coronavirus," Yim added. District councilors from the Yau Tsim Mong District urge the government to introduce a third round of anti-epidemic fund that can include wet market stall owners and extend the rent assistance policy for a minimum of six months.

Source: The Standard August 16, 2020 11:03 UTC