Diners steer clear of restaurants in Kennedy Town

Some restaurants in Kennedy Town were nearly empty last night following HKU medical school's call for students and staff to stay away from the district.

And business people and residents were furious the district was put under a Covid cloud, though some said they were not scared as people were living with still-continuous outbreaks in Hong Kong.

A Belcher's Street restaurant owner named Cheung, pictured, said he saw many fewer customers than usual yesterday, and he put that down to the university warning rather than one for a rainstorm.

"It was also raining the day before but there were still customers," Cheung said."

An eatery near the Covid-hit Sai Wan Estate lost two thirds of its customers.

A staffer named Lee said some customers canceled their bookings, though she was unsure if the loss of business was caused by the HKU warning or the weather.

She noted that diners have been cautious recently and cleaned tables and tableware by themselves.

Central and Western District councilor Jordan Pang Ka-ho said he received 20 inquiries from residents after the warning.

Pang said he understood the university's reasoning, but a warning without explanation could cause panic. So the university should improve its communications.

"The point is that there was no information and statistics to explain the warning," he said.

A resident who left comments on Pang's Facebook page said he was furious the HKU would label the district a pandemic area.

"The HKU medical school should clarify why they have the power to make such an appeal," he said.

"It's unreasonable, and it has made residents furious."

Other residents said were unworried about the Covid situation in Sai Wan.

A form two student living in the Sai Wan Estate, who has recovered from Covid, said he did not worry about a possible outbreak. He usually eats at home.

And a resident of Kwun Lung Lau in Sai Wan, Chow, said her home has been subject to compulsory tests. But she is not worried as she has been double jabbed.