Hong Kong’s retailers came under renewed pressure in July as a third wave of coronavirus infections led the government to introduce renewed social-distancing measures, further stifling tourism, shopping and eating out.

The July reading is the 18th straight monthly decline for retail sales, the longest stretch since a 24-month period from 2015 to 2017

Retail sales by value fell 23.1 percent from a year ago to HK$26.5 billion (US$3.4 billion), according to a government statement. The latest weakness follows a 24.7 percent contraction in June and before that, four straight months of declines greater than 30 percent.

The July reading is the 18th straight monthly decline for retail sales, the longest stretch since a 24-month period from 2015 to 2017. Hong Kong’s economy fell into recession last year amid anti-government protests and the economy has continued to contract in 2020 with the coronavirus and a halt to tourism.

READ MORE: HK retail sales could fall by 17% in 2020

The volume of retail sales dropped 23.9 percent from a year earlier.

In a press release, a government spokesman said the year-on-year decline in retail sales remained notable in July despite a lower base of comparison, as the surge of local COVID-19 cases and the resultant tightening of social distancing measures further disrupted consumption activities.

"While the recent stabilization in the local epidemic situation may help improve consumption sentiment, the business environment of the retail trade will continue to be very difficult in the near term as inbound tourism remains at a standstill," the spokesman added.

Hong Kong saw a fresh wave of coronavirus infections spread throughout July, with the number of cases more than doubling to almost 3,300 by the end of the month, while the death toll almost quadrupled to 27.

ALSO READ: HK retail sales see record 44% slump in February

In response, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor introduced more restrictive measures in mid-July including closures of many public facilities, limits on restaurant capacity and hours as well as more limited public gatherings, further hurting the tourism and retail sectors.

With Bloomberg inputs