Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor holds a press conference Jan 14, 2022 at the Central Government Offices, where she announced $458.6 million in subsidies for individuals and industries hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong’s Anti-epidemic Fund will distribute HK$3.57 billion ($458.6 million) to individuals and businesses such as restaurants and tourism agencies hard-hit by the pandemic and the tightened pandemic control rules. 

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced plans for the fifth round of such funding on Friday. 

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Lam also said current pandemic control measures, including the ban on dine-in services ban after 6 pm and closing premises such as game centers, gyms and massage parlors, will be extended for 14 days through Feb 3 — the third and final day of the Lunar New Year holiday. 

Unless the pandemic gets worse, some establishments will be gradually reopened on the condition that only vaccinated people can enter such venues. 

In view of the worsening COVID-19 situation, 15 Lunar New Year fairs will be canceled during the holiday, Lam added. 

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Subsidies will also be offered to the approximately 1,000 kindergartens and primary schools that were ordered to close as of Friday. 

In 2020, the government launched four rounds of Anti-epidemic Fund subsidies to relieve the financial burden on individuals and businesses and help various industries stay afloat, including those in the food industry, tourism and transport sectors. 

Application for the new round of funding is expected to open next week, and the subsidies hopefully will be released after the Lunar New Year holiday, Lam said.