Under the COVID-19 epidemics, the Government has tightened 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) has launched several rounds of Catering Business (Social Distancing) Subsidy Scheme to provide financial relief measures to the above catering sector since 2020. The Government has established the Catering Business Subsidy Scheme to provide one-off subsidy to business including licensed restaurants, Karaoke Establishments, nightclubs and bars or pubs which are concurrently holding a food licence under the sixth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund.

The Catering Business Subsidy Scheme provides one-off subsidy ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 to eligible licence holders of general restaurants, light refreshment restaurants, marine restaurants and factory canteens in operation according to the floor area of the premises, primarily to provide further relief to licensed catering outlets with seating areas.  The Catering Business Subsidy Scheme will benefit about 17 000 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 21 February 2022 at 9:00 a.m., the deadline for applications will be on 21 March 2022 at 5:00 p.m.  Late submission will not be entertained.

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