Hair salons to get subsidy this month at the earliest

The government says hair salons forced to close under Covid-19 restrictions can apply for a one-off subsidy from next Monday, and are set to receive the cash within this month at the earliest.

Salons can get up to HK$50,000, depending on how many workers they employ.

The subsidy is capped at HK$1.5 million for a hair salon chain.

Online application will be open for two weeks, while those operated by social enterprises have to submit their applications via the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.

The government said HK$130 million has been earmarked for the scheme which will benefit around 4,200 premises.

Salons and barber shops were ordered to close early last month amid the surging wave of Covid infections. They will remain shuttered until at least late April.