The Government announced on 14 January 2022 measures under the fifth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund, which consist of two parts, namely relief measures for premises and individuals directly affected by the latest round of tightening of social distancing measures, and relief measures for trades which have not seen any business revival since the onset of the epidemic due to the as-of-yet resumed flow of people between Hong Kong and other places.  The relief measures include:
 
      (i)    Club-house Subsidy Scheme

• The Subsidy Scheme provides a subsidy of $50,000 to each of the eligible holders of a valid Certificate of Compliance (CoC) issued under the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance (Cap. 376), and an additional subsidy of $25,000 for each permit/licence for CoC holders who also operate karaoke establishments, nightclubs or bars/pubs in their clubhouse premises.
• The Subsidy Scheme is open for application from 17 January 2022 to 17 February 2022.
• The application form and guidelines of the Subsidy Scheme can be downloaded from the website of the Office of the Licensing Authority of the Home Affairs Department (https://www.hadla.gov.hk/filemanager/en/docs/Clubhouse20220117(eng).pdf).

      (ii)    Amusement Game Centres Subsidy Scheme

• The Subsidy Scheme provides a subsidy of $50,000 to each of the eligible operators of Amusement Game Centres licensed under the Amusement Game Centres Ordinance (Cap. 435), eligible operators of e-sports venues that have been duly exempted (or have applied for but not yet obtained exemption) from the same ordinance, and eligible operators of Internet computer services centres registered with the Office of the Licensing Authority under the Home Affairs Department.
• The Subsidy Scheme is open for application from 17 January 2022 to 17 February 2022.
• The application form and guidelines of the Subsidy Scheme can be downloaded from the website of the Office of the Licensing Authority of the Home Affairs Department (https://www.hadla.gov.hk/el/filemanager/common/docs/home/AGC20220117(eng).pdf).

      (iii)    Mahjong/Tin Kau Licence Holder Subsidy Scheme

• The Subsidy Scheme provides a subsidy of $50,000 to each eligible holder of a Mahjong/Tin Kau licence issued under the Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148).
• The Subsidy Scheme is open for application from 17 January 2022 to 17 February 2022.
• The application form and guidelines of the Subsidy Scheme can be downloaded from the website of the Office of the Licensing Authority of the Home Affairs Department (https://www.hadla.gov.hk/el/filemanager/common/docs/home/MJTKSS20220117(Eng).pdf).

      (iv)    Places of Amusement Licence Holders Subsidy Scheme

• The Subsidy Scheme provides a one-off subsidy of $50,000 to billiard establishments, public bowling alleys and public skating rinks operating with a licence issued under the Places of Amusement Regulation (Cap. 132BA).
• The Subsidy Scheme is open for application from 17 January 2022 to 31 January 2022.
• The application form and guidelines of the Subsidy Scheme can be downloaded from the website of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/licensing/subsidyscheme.html).

      (v)    Sports Premises Subsidy Scheme

• The Subsidy Scheme provides a one-off subsidy of $50,000 to each sports premises with a view to easing their cash flow pressure and alleviating their financial burden arising from their closure starting from 7 January 2022 as directed under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F).
• Eligible sports premises must possess a fixed address and an individually operated premises in Hong Kong where its principal and substantive business is to provide sporting activities as promoted by the respective "national sports associations" or sports organisations recognised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
• The Subsidy Scheme is open for application from 17 January 2022 to 16 February 2022.
• The application form and guidelines of the Subsidy Scheme can be downloaded from the website of the Home Affairs Bureau (https://www.hab.gov.hk/en/policy_responsibilities/fitness/aefv5spss.htm).

      (vi)    Catering Business Subsidy Scheme

• The Subsidy Scheme provides a one-off subsidy ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 to eligible licence holders of general restaurants, light refreshment restaurants, marine restaurants and factory canteens in operation according to the floor areas of the premises as specified on their licences.  For each eligible catering outlet mentioned above, if it is also running a karaoke establishment, nightclub and bar or pub and has closed the whole of its licensed premises as directed under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirement and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), it is eligible to apply for an additional one-off subsidy of $25,000 according to the respective business.
• The Subsidy Scheme also provides a one-off subsidy ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to licensees of eligible food factory licences in food courts inside shopping malls according to the licensed area of its premises.
• Moreover, the Subsidy Scheme provides a one-off subsidy of $25,000 to eligible cooked food/light refreshment market stall tenants and persons holding a hawker licence and operating cooked food business in public housing developments.
• The Subsidy Scheme is open for application from 17 January 2022 to 18 February 2022.
• The application documents and details of the Subsidy Scheme can be downloaded from the website of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (https://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/index.html).

      (vii)    Commercial Bathhouse Licence Holder Subsidy Scheme

• The Subsidy Scheme provides a one-off subsidy of $50,000 to each eligible licence holder of a commercial bathhouse.
• The Subsidy Scheme is open for application from 17 January 2022 to 18 February 2022.
• The application documents and details of the Subsidy Scheme can be downloaded from the website of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (https://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/subsidy_scheme_v5/application_guide_CBH.html).

      (viii)    Places of Public Entertainment Licence Holder Subsidy Scheme

• The Subsidy Scheme provides a one-off subsidy of $50,000 for each eligible holder of a places of public entertainment licence (PPEL) (excluding cinema operators eligible under the Cinemas Subsidy Scheme) and $10,000 for each eligible holder of a temporary places of public entertainment licence (TPPEL).
• The Subsidy Scheme is open for application from 17 January 2022 to 18 February 2022.
• The application documents and details of the Subsidy Scheme can be downloaded from the website of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (https://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/subsidy_scheme_v5/application_guide_PPE.html).

      (ix)    Cinemas Subsidy Scheme

• The Subsidy Scheme provides a one-off subsidy of $50,000 per screen to each existing cinema licensed as a place of public entertainment with commercial operation in December 2021.  The maximum subsidy for a cinema circuit is $1.5 million.
• The Subsidy Scheme is open for application from 18 January 2022 to 31 January 2022.
• The application form and guidance note of the Subsidy Scheme can be downloaded from the website of the Create Hong Kong (https://www.createhk.gov.hk/en/home.htm).

      (x)    “One-off Grant to Registered Sports Coaches” Scheme

• The Scheme provides a one-off grant of $5,000 for each eligible registered sports coach.
• The Scheme is open for application from 20 January 2022 to 28 February 2022.
• The application form and guidelines of the Scheme can be downloaded from the website of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department website (https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/programmes/programmeslist/sss/subsidyscheme.html).

      (xi)    Fitness Centre Subsidy Scheme

• The Subsidy Scheme provides a one-off subsidy of $50,000 to each fitness centre with a view to easing their cash flow pressure and alleviating their financial burden arising from their closure starting from 7 January 2022 as directed under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F).
• The Subsidy Scheme is open for application from 20 January 2022 to 28 February 2022.
• The application form and guidelines of the Subsidy Scheme can be downloaded from the website of the Home Affairs Bureau (www.hab.gov.hk/en/policy_responsibilities/fitness/aefv5.htm).

      (xii)    Tourism Industry Additional Support Scheme (Special Further Subsidies)

• The Scheme provides one-off cash subsidies to the travel trade and its practitioners –

1. Travel agents:  Travel agents with 10 or less staff members will be provided with a subsidy at a flat rate of $50,000 each; for travel agents with 11 staff members or more, the subsidy level will be directly proportional to the number of staff members they have, with a subsidy level of $5,000 per staff member as the basis of calculation;
2. Travel agents' staff and freelance accredited tourist guides and tour escorts whose main occupation is/was tourist guide and tour escort: Each will be provided with a one-off subsidy of $7,500; and
3. Drivers of tour service coaches who are/were mainly serving tourists: A one-off subsidy of $3,350 will be provided to each tour service coach driver.

• For details of the arrangement for cash subsidy disbursement, please visit the website of the Tourism Commission (https://www.tourism.gov.hk/en/additional_support_scheme_index.php).

      (xiii)    Subsidy Scheme for Beauty Parlours, Massage Establishments and Party Rooms 2022

• The Subsidy Scheme provides provide a one-off subsidy to eligible beauty parlours, massage establishments and party rooms (including local pleasure vessels let for hire or reward (pleasure vessels)) that have suspended operations since 7 January 2022 pursuant to the closure order issued by the Government under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F).  The Subsidy Scheme is also applicable to those businesses operated by social enterprises.
• Each eligible beauty parlour or massage establishment will receive a one-off subsidy ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 depending on its number of workers while each eligible party room or pleasure vessel will receive a one-off subsidy of $20,000.
• The Subsidy Scheme will be open for application from 7 February 2022 to 20 February 2022.
• For details of application arrangements, please refer to the relevant press release (https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/19/P2022011900606.htm).