Policy Innovation and Coordination Office Head Doris Ho (right) inspects a service center in North Point, Hong Kong. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong government said on Wednesday that the Temporary Unemployment Relief Scheme has received over 65,800 applications as of 6 pm on its first day.

The online application portal that also launched on Wednesday has been operating smoothly, it added.

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The scheme provides a one-off subsidy of HK$10,000 to people who lost their jobs due to the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Full and part-time employees, as well as the self-employed, are eligible to apply. Applications should be submitted online by 11:59 pm on April 12.

Applicants who need assistance may schedule an appointment through the government hotline 183 6128 and visit one of the five service centers.

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