The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced today (December 23) that more than 400 applications were received from its market and cooked food stall tenants for the subsidy scheme for promoting contactless payment in public markets under the third round of the Anti-epidemic Fund.
 
     The application period for the scheme ended on December 21, and the HA received a total of about 440 applications. Applicants have to submit the relevant contracts and complete the installation of the contactless payment devices by January 20, 2021. The HA will disburse the subsidy of $5,000 to every eligible tenant as soon as practicable after inspections are conducted to confirm completion of the installation work.
 
     "With the receipt of over 400 applications, together with the market stalls that have already installed contactless payment means, it is estimated that about 30 per cent of the market stalls and cooked food stalls under the HA could provide contactless payment means to customers," a spokesman for the HA said.
 
     The subsidy scheme was launched on October 15 for the Government to provide a one-off subsidy to eligible stall tenants of the HA's markets and cooked food stalls at a flat rate of $5,000 per stall to meet the initial setting up costs as well as service and other fees in relation to the provision of at least one contactless payment means, with a view to reducing the risk of virus transmission in markets. The HA had extended the application deadline earlier to December 21.
 
     "It is more convenient and hygienic to use contactless payment. We encourage other stall tenants to continue installing such payment means so as to reduce the risk of virus spread," the spokesman said.    
 
     With Christmas and New Year around the corner, the HA reminded the public of the importance of maintaining personal hygiene and epidemic prevention measures while visiting the HA's markets.
 
     "The HA has also been implementing anti-epidemic measures in its markets. Patrons are required to wear a mask and undergo body temperature checks when entering the markets. Hand sanitisers have also been provided for patrons' use in the markets,
 
     "The HA has stepped up cleaning and disinfection of the communal areas and facilities in the markets, including cleaning with diluted household bleach regularly every day. We also call on the stall operators to strengthen cleaning of their stalls to work with us together in combating the epidemic," the spokesman said.

Ends/Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:57

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