Gems show loses sparkle as entry ban looms

Preparations for the world's biggest jewelry trade show has been suspended, the Trade Development Council said, citing the latest entry ban on non-Hong Kong residents.

The Hong Kong International Jewellery Show had been scheduled to run concurrently with the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show from May 18 to 21.

The announcement came on the same day Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced the 14-day ban, which starts tomorrow.

But the council said the decision was made when the mandatory quarantine measures, which started on March 19 and will be in force until June 18.

Some 2,000 exhibitors were expected for the show, which had been postponed from March to May due to the outbreak. Its location was also moved from the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai to the AsiaWorld-Expo near the airport.

Meanwhile, the Construction Industry Council yesterday said it will expand its monetary scheme supporting construction workers and families affected the pandemic to seven types of professionals, including registered electrical workers, lift workers, escalator workers, gas installers, plumbers, class three fire service installation contractors and minor works contractors.

Under the scheme, workers undergoing quarantine can get subsidies at a rate of HK$300 per day, up to HK$4,200.

Meanwhile, about 30 school buses joined a slow-drive action from Kwai Chung to the central government offices in Tamar yesterday to demand the government provide more financial aid amid the three-month class suspension.

Organizers of the action, including the School Buses Operators Association and two other bus unions, said that around 11,000 workers were affected by the class suspension and warned that a third of school bus operators could go bankrupt.