Around 470,000 people have applied for a HK$10,000 subsidy for those who have recently lost their jobs due to the Covid epidemic - 57 percent more than the government anticipated. She also explained the subsidy scheme's expansion to cover employees working in closed premises such as fitness centers and beauty salons has contributed to the figure. Ho noted that the government will make use of the contingency fund to pay out all successful applicants’ HK$10,000 relief even if the total amount exceeded the HK$3 billion budget. Meanwhile, Ho said the government will be ready to inform successful applicants of the next batch after the Easter break. They will receive the subsidy a week after the announcement, she added.

Source: The Standard April 13, 2022 09:22 UTC