The Government has established the Licensed Hawkers Subsidy Scheme and Food Licence Holders Subsidy Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund to provide financial support to the licensed hawkers and food business sector hard-hit by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Licensed Hawkers Subsidy Scheme is expected to benefit about 5 500 licensees and will offer a one-off subsidy of $5,000 to each eligible licensee of a hawker licence, which remains valid before the application is approved. On the other hand, under the Food Licence Holders Subsidy Scheme, a one-off subsidy of $200,000 will be provided to eligible licence holders of the premises in operation including general restaurants, marine restaurants and factory canteens; and a subsidy of $80,000 will be provided to eligible licence holders of the premises in operation including light refreshment restaurants, fresh provision shops, food factories, bakeries and siu mei and lo mei shops that it is expected to benefit about 28 000 food licence holders.

Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) accepts applications for the schemes starting from 5 March 2020 at 9:00 a.m., the deadline for applications will be on 4 May 2020 at 5:00 p.m.. Late submission will not be entertained.

For application details of the schemes, please visit the FEHD website linked below.