Update on Fifth round of Anti-Epidemic Fund measures

***Article updated on 20 January, see further down***

Yesterday 18 January, the HKgov announced further updates regarding the Fifth round of Anti-Epidemic Fund measures: more sectors can now apply for subsidy. Here are the press releases with more information:

Further support by Anti-epidemic Fund to tourism industry
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/17/P2022011700613.htm
The Government has earmarked a provision of around $570 million under the Anti-epidemic Fund for providing the sixth round of support to the tourism industry, which includes one-off cash subsidies to the travel trade and its practitioners and funding injection to extend the Green Lifestyle Local Tour Incentive Scheme (GLIS). All persons who are eligible for and have been granted special further subsidies in the last round of the Tourism Industry Additional Support Scheme are not required to submit fresh application for cash subsidies. The Tourism Commission (TC) has informed the aforesaid eligible persons of the arrangement for cash subsidy disbursement by SMS notifications on January 17. The subsidies will be disbursed before the Chinese New Year.  

FEHD provides financial support for catering, commercial bathhouse and places of public entertainment sectors under fifth round of Anti-epidemic Fund
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/17/P2022011600281.htm
– open for applications from January 17 until February 18.

Cinemas Subsidy Scheme under fifth round of AEF opens for applications
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/17/P2022011700413.htm
– open for applications from January 18 to 31

Fitness Centre Subsidy Scheme to open for applications on January 20
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/17/P2022011700574.htm
– open for applications from January 20 to February 28

Additional grant to registered sports coaches from Anti-epidemic Fund
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/17/P2022011700467.htm
– open for applications from January 20 to February 28

Update: more announcements have been made regarding new sectors that can apply for the subsidy:

EDB to provide one-off relief grant to affected sectors
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/18/P2022011800465.htm
– A one-off grant, ranging from $30,000 to $80,000, will be provided to each kindergarten (KG) and private day school. The additional expenditure is estimated to be $67.5 million, benefitting about 1,000 KGs and 185 private day schools.
– A one-off relief grant of $20,000 will be given to each private school offering non-formal curriculum (PSNFC),  which has been registered under the Education Ordinance and is in operation on the issuance date of the circular memorandum. The additional expenditure is estimated to be $54 million, benefitting some 2,700 PSNFCs.
– One-off relief grants will be provided to the service suppliers or service providers as their businesses and incomes were affected by restrictions on face-to-face classes and on-campus school activities. The additional expenditure is estimated to be $216.9 million.

Latest relief measures of Arts and Culture Sector Subsidy Scheme under Anti-epidemic Fund
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/18/P2022011800279.htm
– To provide a one-off subsidy of $40,000 to each of the over 100 performing arts groups which are affected by the epidemic.
– To provide a one-off subsidy of $5,000 to each eligible individual arts practitioner and freelancer who had earlier benefited from the Arts and Culture Sector Subsidy Scheme. The number of beneficiaries is estimated to reach 6,000.
– To provide a one-off subsidy of $50,000 to each eligible company of the performing industry through the Performing Industry Association (Hong Kong) Limited. About 80 companies are expected to benefit from this measure.

Scheme on Relief Grants for Interest Class Instructors Hired by Organisations Subvented by the Social Welfare Department (Phase 4) to open for application from January 20
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/18/P2022011800292.htm
– open for applications from January 20 to March 31, 2022

SWD launches fourth round of Child Care Centre Special Grant
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/18/P2022011800297.htm
– deadline for application is January 25, 2022

Subsidy Scheme for Beauty Parlours, Massage Establishments and Party Rooms 2022 application arrangements
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/19/P2022011900606.htm
– open for applications from 9am on February 7 to 11.59pm on February 20, 2022

Financial support for cross-boundary passenger transport trade under fifth round of Anti-epidemic Fund
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/19/P2022011900481.htm
The Transport Department and the Marine Department will respectively issue notification letters to each of the eligible registered owners of cross-boundary coaches (CBCs) and cross-boundary hire cars (CBHCs) and the eligible cross-boundary ferry (CBF) operators on the details of the relevant subsidies.
 –  CBCs: To provide a one-off non-accountable subsidy of $30,000 per vehicle to the registered owner of each licensed CBC (including port shuttle buses). About 1 500 CBCs are expected to benefit;
 –  CBHCs: To provide a one-off non-accountable subsidy of $30,000 per vehicle to the registered owner of each licensed CBHC. About 600 CBHCs are expected to benefit; and
 –  CBFs: To provide a one-off non-accountable subsidy of $500,000 per ferry to the operator of each eligible CBF. About 80 CBFs are expected to benefit.

A useful overview of all measures was also provided by our connections at ITO in their latest newsletter (click).