Supermarkets wrap it up early to reduce risks

ParknShop supermarket chain has shortened operation hours from today, with stores opening at 8am and some of them closing as early as 3pm.

About a dozen outlets - including ParknShop on Ferry Street in Yau Ma Tei, Taste at Celestial Heights in Ho Man Tin and Fusion at Ocean Shores 2 in Tseung Kwan O - will close at 3pm.

Others such as ParknShop at Oi Tung Estate in Shau Kei Wan and Fort Street in North Point, Express at Cathay City in Chek Lap Kok and Fusion at Fairview Heights in Mid-Levels close before 6.30pm. The rest will close about two hours earlier than usual 9pm to 10pm.

ParknShop, owned by CK Hutchison, said it was to balance supplying the public with necessities and infection risks among staff and customers.

Watsons, from the same group, made a similar announcement, adding customers are encouraged to contact the store manager directly or find a registered pharmacist for health inquiries.

It said due to a lack of manpower, delivery service between yesterday and March 16 will be delayed.

Another supermarket giant, Wellcome, said most of its 320 branches will close early in the evening daily, with the seven branches with fewer customers to close at 5pm.

Mannings, Like Wellcome under the Dairy Farm Group, yesterday closed 53 out of around 350 branches until further notice. Another 38 stores will temporarily suspend online pickup services.

Mannings said the decision was made to protect the health of customers, shopkeepers and deliverymen. Many online users flocked to Mannings' Facebook page asking about delivery of their online orders and how they can receive orders when the branch they chose to pick them up is closed.

"I placed my online order on February 18 and I haven't received it I understand we're in the midst of an epidemic, but it's been 10 days and you said you could deliver products in two days," one wrote.

In response, Mannings said handling of orders has been delayed by reallocation of stocks and surging demand for courier service.

Yata supermarket is closing all nine branches at 8pm every day while department store Aeon has also changed its opening hours from 10am to 9pm.

Some gas stations were closed after staff were either infected or listed as close contacts.

Restaurants, including fast-food giant McDonald's, have suspended their around-the-clock delivery service and closed dessert corners.

KFC is closing some of its branches, including the ones on Percival Street in Causeway Bay, Shun Tak Centre in Central and Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, while shortening opening hours to mostly 11am to 7pm or 8pm in remaining outlets.

Cafe de Coral from yesterday halted dine-in services in most branches and, with subsidiary Super Super Congee and Noodles, shifted to takeaways.

jane.cheung@singtaonewscorp.com