Category: lifestyle

Flight Ban Extended Until 20 April 2022

The Hong Kong Government has announced that the flight suspension for Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America will be extended to 20 April 2022.

All passenger flights from the nine countries are banned from landing in Hong Kong!

Anyone who has stayed in these countries for more than two hours within 14 days of their planned arrival will be prohibited from boarding any flight to Hong Kong.

covid-19-flight-ban-Hong-Kong

The Government Covid website is www.coronavirus.gov.hk

Free Covid Taxi

The concept of a free ‘Covid Taxi’ to transport people to their testing appointments at clinics across the city – thus keeping them off public transport – is quite innovative.

BUT, sadly as with most of the government’s initiatives – the devil is in the details. Participating taxies are only required to fully disinfect their passenger compartment ONCE a day!

The potential for cross-infection is probably far higher than taking a bus or the MTR… No attempt has been made to separate the driver from passengers – why not install a plastic sheet to separate the passenger compartment from the driver? No payment is needed and taxi’s need to be booked in advance, so the destination is already known to the driver.

Free ‘covid taxis’ will be available from 18 February and patients with appointments can book on www.designatedtaxihk.com or call 3693 4770 (8am to 10pm). To make a booking you need to provide: name, contact number, appointment time, designated clinic, pick-up location.

Egg Custard Buns @ Red Bean 紅豆烘焙

紅豆烘焙 Red Bean bakery in Mongkok launched their new take on an egg tart a few weeks ago but the lines were massive and supply sold out quickly… Today however bc managed to grab one.

The $15 egg custard bun, released daily at 3pm, is basically a hollowed-out bread roll filled with egg custard. The texture of the bun makes a nice contrast to the rich creamy egg custard – thankfully not excessively sweet – and it’s really rather nice hot or cold!

There are several versions including chocolate and a ‘creme brulee’ style with burnt sugar on top.

Red Bean Bakery: Shop A2-A3, G/F, Wah May Building, 520A-522 Shanghai Street, Mongkok – is on the corner of Shanghai and Shantung Streets, near Langham Place.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220211-Egg-Custard-Buns-in-Mongkok/i-2784S7T

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220211-Egg-Custard-Buns-in-Mongkok/i-n65p7ZX

StayHomeSafe Home Quarantine Launched

As of 8 February, The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has started to allow close contacts and household contacts of close contacts to undergo home quarantine for 14 days and four days respectively.

Persons undergoing “StayHomeSafe” must stay in their dwelling place and wear an electronic wristband throughout the quarantine period; regularly monitor their physical condition including taking body temperature twice daily; conduct regular Rapid Antigen Test on their own on specified dates (close contacts must also attend the Community Testing Centre for testing on Day 12); and follow other home quarantine guidelines issued by the Department of Health (DH).

The CHP will assess if people are suitable for StayHome Safe quarantine. Factors to be considered include the suitability of the person’s dwelling place for quarantine, the risk level of persons confining at the same place, and their individual physical conditions.

The Government has launched a website for the “StayHomeSafe” Scheme:
www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/home-quarantine.html, and the Home Affairs Department has also set up hotline (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/Important_Contact_Information.pdf) to provide assistance to persons undergoing “StayHomeSafe”.

There is also a list of buildings where people who are part of the StayHomeSafe live.

Art Basel Postponed from March to May 2022

Art Basel today postponed its Hong Kong fair, which was scheduled to take place in March 2022, to May 2022 in response to the ongoing impact of the Covid pandemic and related travel restrictions.

Adeline Ooi, Director Asia, Art Basel said: “By taking this decision early, our goal is to ensure that we will be able to welcome the community of art supporters and members of the public at HKCEC, as well as the international audience that will be joining us virtually while protecting the health and safety of everyone concerned.”

The 2022 edition of Art Basel Hong Kong will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 27-29 May, 2022, with preview days on 25-26 May.

Art Basel
Date: 25-29 May, 2022
Venue: HK Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tickets: tbc

RTHK Blacklists Pro-Democracy Musicians

Ten politically vocal singers and groups, including Denise Ho and Anthony Wong Yiu-ming, have been removed from RTHK playlists.

DJs have apparently been instructed by senior RTHK management to stop playing any new or old songs by: RubberBand, C AllStar, Dear Jane, Serrini, Kay Tse, Charmaine Fong, Alfred Hui, Denise Ho, Anthony Wong Yiu-ming.

An RTHK spokesman told Ming Pao that “the broadcaster is supporting the development of Chinese-language pop music locally, and program hosts would select appropriate songs to feature from a professional perspective.”

A DJ told Ming Pao that the black-list was handed down by management at the beginning of this year and that it will affect program production as many of the artist’s songs are classics that have nothing to do with politics.

When asked about the ban, Alfred Hui said he was not worried. “Music fans can find the kind of music they want to listen to on various platforms and channels these days. Music can also be released as NFTs (non-fungible tokens). I still plan to release two albums this year.”

RubberBand and C AllStar have been ‘banned’ in China since 2019.

image: as1.entertainment 

Petticoat Lane Reopens

Some good news amidst the tidal wave of closures across the city, gay bar and nightclub Petticoat Lane announces its reopening and relocation from Wyndham Street to Lan Kwai Fong Tower.

Here is the opening announcement, and entry rules.

We have some good news in a world of bad headlines.
Petticoat Lane will open its doors, 28th of January, 2022 at 2:38 pm.

Our entire team at Petticoat Lane has worked really hard getting the new venue ready to welcome you home.
We sincerely hope we will make you and our community proud.

Because your health and safety, and that of our team, is our priority; and to ensure we all comply with the HK Government’s Covid restrictions, kindly note:
– Reservations must be made in advance by DM’ing us on Instagram or Facebook.
– Masks must be worn when walking through the venue.
– Masks can only be removed when seated and eating or drinking.
– Proof of vaccination is required upon entry.
– The Leave Home Safe App must be used to check-in.
– Food must be purchased when ordering drinks.
– All guests must leave the venue by 5:59 pm.
Going forward, our opening hours will be from Tuesday through Sunday, from 12 noon to 5:59 pm until further notice.

We have missed you very much and are so excited to see you again soon.
We know it is a very challenging time. We also know, that by supporting one another, we will get through it together.

From all of us at Petticoat Lane.
Stay Positive. Test Negative.

Petticoat Lane
8/F, California Tower,
30-32 D’Aguilar Street,
Central,
Hong Kong
Opening hours: Noon-6pm