Under the COVID-19 epidemics, the Government has imposed social distancing measures. The business of catering outlets with seating areas (i.e. selling or supplying food and beverages for consumption on their premises) has been hard hit by the epidemics and the social distancing measures. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) launched the Catering Business (Social Distancing) Subsidy Scheme in May 2020 under the Anti-epidemic Fund (AEF) to provide financial relief measures to the above catering sector.  In August, FEHD enhanced the aforesaid scheme and accepted application from eligible licensed catering business which no subsidy was granted in the first round of the scheme. The Catering Business Subsidy Scheme under the third round of AEF was subsequently launched in October.  Under the fourth round of the AEF, the Government has established a fresh Catering Business Subsidy Scheme to provide a one-off subsidy to business including licensed restaurants, factory canteens, Karaoke Establishments, nightclubs and bars or pubs which are concurrently holding a food business licence.

This Catering Business Subsidy Scheme provides one-off subsidy ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 to be disbursed in two equal tranche to eligible licence holders of general restaurants, light refreshment restaurants, marine restaurants and factory canteens in operation according to the licensed area of its premises.  It is estimated that the Catering Business Subsidy Scheme will benefit about 17 000 licensed catering outlets.

Moreover, each eligible catering outlet directed to close whole of its licensed premises pursuant to the directions issued under the Prevention and Control of Diseases (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), including karaoke establishments, nightclubs and bars or pubs, is eligible for a further one-off subsidy of $50,000.

The FEHD accepts applications for the scheme starting from 29 December 2020 at 9:00 a.m., the deadline for applications will be on 28 January 2021 at 5:00 p.m.  Late submission will not be entertained.

For application details of the schemes, please visit the FEHD website linked below.