Tourism lawmaker urges bailout via local tours

Tourism-sector Lawmaker Yiu Si-wing urged the government to relax the social-distancing ban on public gatherings of over four people to allow for local tours and bail out the battered industry.

Hampered by last year's prolonged street violence and this year's pandemic, the sector is in troubled waters, with much more bankruptcies and layoffs had it not been for the three rounds of government subsidies, Yiu told China Daily on Wednesday.

Relaxing the rule can help travel agencies generate income by organizing tours to local tourist spots at a time when cross-border travel is nearly impossible, he said.

Yiu suggested precautions such as medical insurance with COVID-19 coverage, and taking temperatures of tourists before they board a bus, which must be at least half-empty, among other social distancing measures during sightseeing and meals.

Industry players will be willing to follow appropriate control measures, Yiu said.

A proposal has been made to the Tourism Commission, pending approval by the Food and Health Bureau, he revealed.

The four-person social-distancing rule, starting today, exempts religious gatherings at mosques, churches, monasteries and temples.

Now that the pandemic is under better control, the government may consider making an exception for the tourism sector, which has barely made any income since January, when the coronavirus struck, the chairman of China Travel Service (HK) said.