港府關閉所有酒吧 冠狀病毒確診逾800 All Bars Shutdown by Government as Hong Kong Coronavirus Cases Exceed 800

政府下令今晚6時起,關閉全港所有1200家酒吧等賣酒場所2周,遏制冠狀病毒的傳播。違者將面臨6個月的監禁,最高罰款為50000港元。蘭桂坊集團董事長盛智文今日審視現時只有空蕩蕩的街道和封閉的酒吧區。

政府下令從今天(4月3日)下午6點開始,關閉全港所有1200家酒吧等賣酒場所2周,這是針對娛樂場所的一系列強制性關閉措施中的最新一次,目的是遏制冠狀病毒的傳播。違者將面臨6個月的監禁,最高罰款為50000港元。

蘭桂坊集團董事長盛智文(Allan Zeman)今日審視這個全城最受歡迎的酒吧區,以前通常擠滿了飲酒者,現時只有空蕩蕩的街道和封閉的酒吧。

迄今為止,這裏已經確認了69例冠狀病毒確診病例與本地的酒吧有關,導致了14例進一步的感染,包括一個40天大的男嬰。

酒吧界指責政府使他們成為代罪羔羊,但未能及早封關及採取有效行動。許多業內人士抱怨生意已經很少,而全面關閉對許酒吧來說是催命喪鐘。

Hong Kong government ordered all 1,200 bars and pubs to close down for 2 weeks starting 6 pm today (3 April), in the latest of a series of mandatory closures targeting entertainment venues in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Violators face 6 months in prison and a maximum fine of HK$50,000.

Allan Zeman, Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group, surveys the damage on the empty streets and closed businesses in the city’s most popular bar district which was usually packed with drinking revellers.

To-date, there have been 69 confirmed coronavirus cases here that have been linked to local bars, leading to 14 further infections — including that of a 40-day-old baby boy.

The bar industry accused officials making them the scapegoat, while failing to close the border and take effective action earlier.

Many complained that business was already slow, and a full shutdown would sound the death-knell for many.

楊必興 P H Yang