Happy together: big groups enjoy relaxed dining curbs

Diners and restaurants welcomed the easing of social distancing rules yesterday, but called for more measures to be scrapped as outbreaks ease.

In a Mong Kok Chinese restaurant, 11 customers were seen sitting at one table, saying they were thrilled to finally be able to hang out together after a long time.

Caterers are expecting up to a 30 percent boost in business, but said "1,000-guest banquets" might not happen anytime soon.

Restaurants can now seat 12 instead of eight diners at a table and the same will apply to party rooms and karaoke lounges.

Bars, pubs and nightclubs, meanwhile, will be able to serve up to six people per table from the previous four and are allowed to operate until 2am.

A woman surnamed Tse enjoyed breakfast with some 20 friends at the London Chinese Restaurant in Mongkok.

But they had to be divided into tables of six and they had to show a negative rapid antigen test.

"We are separated because of the [social distancing] rules. Of course, it is not as exciting if we were all sitting at the same table," Tse said

But Tse's friend surnamed Lo said the 12-person cap is reasonable.

"Conducting rapid tests helps protect us and others [from getting infected]," Lo said.

Restaurant manager So Man-shing said he received reservations for three large tables during breakfast and lunch hours, which he expects would pump up business by 20 percent, noting that banquets are the main source of income for restaurants.

As part of the updated curbs, banquets doubled their maximum capacity from 120 people to 240.

"Lunch doesn't help our business too much compared to banquets. For banquets, 12 people make one table, so families can gather in groups of 12," So said.

"Elderly people also enjoy dining in large groups."

So hopes the rapid test requirement would be scrapped when the epidemic situation stabilizes.

At the Tsim Sha Tsui Marriage Registry, a newlywed couple said Covid regulations had forced them to delay their banquet to next year, hoping that the remaining curbs would be lifted soon.

"That's the only way we'll be able to invite more friends and family to celebrate. I hope we can switch to a 0+0 system as soon as possible so we can also invite people from overseas," they said.

One returnee from Canada noted that while the rest of the world had returned to normalcy, Hong Kong has been lagging behind, saying: "There's no desire to spend money, even under the relaxed Covid restrictions."

In Lan Kwai Fong last night, tables of six were seen. One said they hoped the government would cancel the rapid test requirement and extend the bars' opening time to 4am.

Speaking on a radio program, Executive Council member and lawmaker Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung said people are looking forward to the 0+0 arrangement for inbound travelers.

"It is time to [keep the city competitive] and let the world be aware that Hong Kong has embraced a full recovery," he said.

He also quoted "a friend from the mainland" that measures are still pending if China would relax border control curbs.

However, he added that it was almost impossible to achieve zero-quarantine travel between Hong Kong and China.