HK govt proposes new $3.34b Anti-epidemic Fund aid

The Hong Kong government plans to provide HK$26 billion ($3.34 billion) in financial aid to pandemic-hit industries and individuals, and will submit its proposed relief-fund package to the legislature, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Tuesday.

This will be the sixth round of relief under the government's Anti-epidemic Fund. In addition to industries that have benefited from previous rounds of relief packages, certain other industries will also be eligible to apply for subsidies this time.

The additional eligible industries cover those that are indirectly battered by the pandemic and social-distancing measures, such as the transportation industry, the laundry and dishwashing industries, and job agencies, Lam said at a media briefing.

Under the government's proposal, those who work on the front lines in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, including cleaning workers, security workers and airport cargo handlers, will be eligible for a monthly allowance of HK$2,000 for five months.

The government is considering granting those who lost their jobs because of the pandemic a one-time lump sum of HK$10,000.

Unlike the previous five rounds of relief funding, which mainly went to support industries and businesses, 60 percent of the HK$26 billion in aid this time is intended to benefit individual workers, Lam said.

The government plans to release details of the proposal on Monday morning. The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council will hold a special meeting on Feb 15 to deliberate the relief-fund proposal.