Summary of Anti-epidemic Fund 2.0
Job retention, job creation, job advancement
Employment Support Scheme (ESS)
Subsidy
A wage subsidy for eligible employers to retain the latter’s employees.
Employers have to undertake that they cannot implement redundancy.
All employers who have been making Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) contributions for employees are eligible, except those on the exclusion list (employees of the government, statutory bodies and government subvented organizations).
The wage subsidy to be provided by the government is calculated based on 50% of the monthly salary, which is capped at HK$18,000 (i.e. the median monthly wage in the second quarter of 2019), for a period of six months.
To be disbursed to employers in two payments, with the first not later than June 2020; expected to benefit 1.5 million employees.
To provide support to employers in the catering, construction and transport (mainly taxi and red minibus drivers) sectors which are not completely covered by the MPF scheme (involving about 800,000 persons).
A one-off subsidy to self-employed persons who made MPF contributions (about 215,000 persons).
Application period
First tranche: 25 May – 14 June 2020
Second tranche: 31 August – 13 September 2020
Application details
To simplify administrative work and avoid delay or omissions during application, MPF applicants shall authorize the Employment Support Scheme processing agent (agent) to receive MPF records from their MPF trustees and the trustees to provide the same to the agent. Upon authorization, the trustees will send the agent the MPF records to facilitate processing and calculation of the subsidy amount.
The detailed application processes for employers with MPF schemes, ORSO schemes, a hybrid of MPF and ORSO schemes, as well as self-employed persons will be announced in the week of 25 May 2020.
Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme
Subsidy
To temporarily relax the asset limits of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme.
To provide a time-limited unemployment support scheme through the CSSA Scheme.
The asset limits for an able-bodied applicant will be increased by 100% for a period of six months.
Expected to benefit 40,000 households.
Application period
1 June – 30 November 2020
Application details
Subsidy
To subsidize small- and medium-sized law firms/barristers’ chambers to procure or upgrade their information technology systems and/or to arrange relevant LawTech training for their staff.
A maximum of HK$50,000 to each eligible law firm/barristers’ chamber.
Expected to benefit about 700 law firms/barristers’ chambers and related persons (about HK$40 million).
Application period
28 April – 6 September 2020
Application details
COVID-19 Online Dispute Resolution Scheme
Subsidy
To allocate about HK$70 million to provide online dispute resolution services for disputes related to or arising from COVID-19.
Application period
eBRAM is planning a formal launch of the scheme by the end of June 2020.
Application details
Funding will be given to eBRAM , the only online dispute resolution service provider in Hong Kong.
Subsidy for encouraging early deployment of 5G
Subsidy
To subsidize the public and private sectors 50% of project costs for projects deploying 5G technologies, subject to a cap of HK$500,000 for each project.
Expected to subsidize 100 projects (about HK$60 million).
Application period
Application details
Distance Business Programme
Subsidy
A maximum funding of HK$100,000 for each information technology (IT) solution and the relevant training expenses for the employees (with funding for the relevant training expenses capped at 10% of the IT solution cost).
Each enterprise may receive total funding of up to HK$300,000 to undertake a project to be completed within six months.
Expect to benefit over 3,000 enterprises and 40,000 individuals (about HK$500 million).
Application period
Application details
Training subsidies for consultants in the construction sector
Subsidy
A training subsidy of HK$50,000 to each consulting firm through the Construction Industry Council.
Expected to benefit some 600 companies (about HK$30 million).
Application period
Application details
The Construction Industry Council will invite applications from eligible consultant firms to disburse the training subsidies to successful applicants in about two months.
Matching grant scheme for skills upgrading
Subsidy
To provide matching grants for training programmes for staff in the public and private sectors (HK$100 million).
Application period
Application details
After the funding is secured, bureaux or departments will initiate discussion with the statutory bodies, industry associations and related bodies under their purview to identify the training needs of workers in relevant sectors and invite the statutory bodies, industry associations and related bodies to organize the training courses. The relevant bureaux and departments will disburse funding to the statutory bodies, industry associations and related bodies.
Support for Engineering, Architectural, Surveying, Town Planning and Landscape Sectors
Subsidy
To provide salary subsidies to employers who hire graduates and assistant professionals of the engineering, architectural, surveying, town planning and landscape sectors.
A total of 1,750 subsidy places, divided into two groups, will be provided under the new measures.
The first group
The second group
Application period
Application details
Strengthens support for construction sector
Subsidy
To provide a one-off subsidy to employers in the sector who have employed casual employees on a long-term basis.
If an employer in the construction sector has made contributions for a 'casual employee' under the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Industry Schemes for at least 15 days in the calendar month of March this year, the employee will be regarded as a 'qualified employee'.
An employer may apply for a subsidy of HK$36,000 per 'qualified employee'.
Applicants have to undertake not to make their employees redundant for a period of six months on receipt of the subsidy and to spend the full amount of the subsidy on paying wages to their workers.
Expected to benefit about 3,500 employers.
Application period
Application details
The Construction Industry Council will handle applications and disburse the subsidies for the Government and will announce the details by late June.
Provision of one-off relief for specific sectors
Relief grant for tutorial schools
Subsidy
A one-off relief grant of HK$40,000 to private schools offering non-formal curriculum registered under the Education Ordinance (tutorial schools).
Application period
Application details
The Education Bureau issued a circular memorandum on 21 April 2020 to tutorial schools, inviting them to apply for a relief grant.
Relief grants for providers of catering services for schools and post-secondary education institutions and providers of interest group and school bus services for schools
Subsidy
Catering A relief grant of HK$80,000. Expected to benefit 900 operators.
Lunchbox providers A relief grant of HK$10,000 (per school). Expected to benefit the providers of 1,000 schools.
School bus drivers, school private light bus drivers and nannies A relief grant of HK$10,000 (per driver/per school bus for nannies). Expected to benefit the drivers of 5,300 school buses/school private light buses and 5,300 nannies.
Instructors, coaches, trainers and operators of interests classes engaged by schools A relief grant of HK$7,500 for each eligible individual.
- Expected to benefit 27,000 operators/individuals.
Application period
Application details
The Education Bureau distributed application forms for the relief grant through post-secondary institutions to the catering outlets operating on their campuses within 22 – 24 April 2020. The application details for other relief grants will be announced as soon as possible.
One-off grant to registered sports coaches
Subsidy
A one-off relief grant of HK$7,500 to each registered coach under National Sports Associations and Sports Organizations who has proven coaching record in the past year.
Expected to benefit 17,000 registered coaches.
Application period
Application details
Relief grants for freelance workers hired by subvented non-governmental welfare organizations to provide training and coaching for service users
Subsidy
A one-off relief grant of HK$7,500 to each instructor of interests classes for organizations subvented by the Social Welfare Department.
Expected to benefit 8,200 individuals.
Application period
Application details
Subsidy scheme for the refuse transfer station account holders for transporting municipal solid waste
Subsidy
A one-off subsidy of HK$8,000 to each of the eligible private municipal solid waste collectors operating in the first quarter.
Application period
Application details
The Environmental Protection Department has issued cheques and posted to all eligible private municipal solid waste collectors.
Subsidies for local primary producers
Subsidy
Local primary producer A one-off relief grant of HK$10,000 to each local primary producer. Expected to benefit 7,600 producers.
Wholesale traders A subsidy of HK$40,000 to each eligible wholesale trader.
Application period
Application details
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department distributed application forms to eligible applicants by post.
Agriculture Fisheries
Special subsidy to the Stock Exchange Hong Kong participants and Securities and Futures Commission licensees
Subsidy
A subsidy of HK$50,000 to each of the some 790 Category B and Category C Stock Exchange Hong Kong participants (i.e. brokers ranked 15th onwards by market turnover).
A subsidy of HK$2,000 to each Securities and Futures Commission licensed individuals, expected to benefit 44,000 licencees.
Application period
25 May – 30 September 2020
Application details
Cash subsidy for individual licensees in the estate agency sector
Subsidy
A one-off cash subsidy to licensed individuals of the estate agency sector.
The amount is equal to the 24-month licence fee of the relevant licences.
Expected to benefit about 40,000 individuals.
Application period
Application details
The government will provide the cash subsidy to the eligible licensees by batches through the Estate Agents Authority. The first batch of subsidy is expected to be disbursed in late May 2020.
Subsidy for the passenger transport sector
Subsidy
Taxi and red minibus drivers
- A monthly subsidy of HK$6,000 for a period of six months to each eligible active taxi and red minibus driver.
- A one-off subsidy of HK$7,500 for taxi and red minibus drivers who cannot meet all the eligibility requirements of an active driver but can fulfill certain conditions.
- Expected to benefit 59,000 taxi drivers and 2,500 red minibus drivers.
- A one-off subsidy of HK$30,000 for the registered owner of each taxi and red minibus.
- Expected to benefit the registered owners of 18,163 taxis and 1,030 red minibuses.
Non-franchised bus, school private light bus and hire car
- A one-off subsidy of HK$30,000 to the registered owner of each non-franchised bus, school private light bus and hire car.
- Expected to benefit the registered owners of about 7,400 non-franchised buses, 2,200 school private light buses and 1,300 hire cars.
Franchised bus companies, franchised/licensed ferry operators and Hong Kong Tramways Limited Reimburse 100% of the actual regular repair and maintenance costs and insurance premium for six months for the five franchised bus companies, nine franchised/licensed ferry operators and Hong Kong Tramways Limited.
Application deadline
Green minibuses and local ferry operators
- 21 June 2020
Taxi and red minibus owners
- 30 September 2020
Non-franchised bus, school private light bus and hire car 31 July 2020
Application details
Providing relief to creative industries
Subsidy
Cinemas Subsidy Scheme
- A subsidy of HK$100,000 per screen to each cinema licensed as a place of public entertainment with commercial operation in March.
- The maximum subsidy for a cinema circuit is HK$3 million.
PMQ and its tenants
- A subsidy of HK$25 million for PMQ’s operation and waiver of its tenants’ rental.
Local printing and publishing sector
- To meet all the participation fees of eligible participants in the next Hong Kong Book Fair.
- The maximum amount of subsidy for each participant is HK$100,000.
Application period
For Cinemas Subsidy Scheme: 20 - 30 April 2020
Application details
Cinemas Subsidy Scheme
- Create Hong Kong
- Guidance note - Application form PMQ and its tenants
- Effect from 1 May 2020
Local printing and publishing sector
- Depends on the timing for holding the next Hong Kong Book Fair
Tourism industry support schemes
Subsidy
Travel agents and tourist guides
- A cash subsidy ranging from HK$20,000 to HK$200,000 to each of the licensed travel agents.
- Expected to benefit about 1,730 agents.
- A monthly subsidy of HK$5,000 for six months.to each travel agents’ staff and active freelance tourist guides and tour escorts holding a valid pass.
- Expected to benefit about 26 ,000 individuals.
Hotel
- A cash subsidy of HK$300,000/HK$400,000.
- Expected to benefit about 300 hotels.
Cruise terminals and cruise lines A one-off subsidy of $10,000 to each coach driver who mainly provides transport services for tourists. Expected to benefit about 9,300 drivers.
Coach driver
- Waive the monthly fixed rent and management fees of the operator of Kai Tak Cruise Terminal for six months.
- A subsidy to cruise lines by offering refund of berth deposits for cancelled ship calls during the suspension of immigration service when they schedule a prospective ship call.
Application period
Travel agents and tourist guides
- 18 April - 15 June 2020
Freelance accredited tourist guides and tour escorts whose main occupations are tourist guides and tour escorts
- 18 April - 15 June 2020
Hotel 18 April - 18 May 2020
Freelance drivers of tour service coaches mainly serving tourists
- 6 May - 5 June 2020
Application details
Relief measures for construction sector
Subsidy
A subsidy of HK$7,500 to each eligible registered construction worker.
A subsidy of HK$20,000 to each eligible contractor, specialist contractor and supplier, and company member of major construction-related trade associations.
A subsidy of HK$10,000 to each eligible registered minor works contractor, registered electrical contractor, registered gas contractor, registered lift/escalator contractor, registered contractor under Builders’ Lifts and Tower Working Platforms (Safety) Ordinance, registered fire service installation contractor and each eligible supplier of construction-related machineries and equipment rental.
Application period
Registered construction workers
- 18 May - 31 August 2020
Non-registered construction workers
- 18 May - 31 August 2020
Consultant firms 27 April - 31 August 2020
Construction-related enterprises
- 27 April - 31 August 2020
Application details
Subsidy to operators of revitalizing historic buildings through partnership scheme, PMQ and fly the flyover operation
Subsidy
A one-off subsidy of HK$3 million to the non-profit-making organizations running the projects under the Revitalizing Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme, PMQ and the Fly the Flyover Operation.
Expected to benefit 12 non-profit-making organizations.
Application period
Application details
Subsidy for the aviation sector
Subsidy
A one-off subsidy to the aviation sector which is hardly hit by the complete shutdown of international traffic.
A one-off subsidy of HK$1 million per large aircraft registered in Hong Kong and HK$200,000 per small aircraft registered in Hong Kong.
Expected to benefit about 270 aircrafts.
Aviation support services and cargo facilities operators: A one-off subsidy of up to HK$3 million to each operator with 100 employees or above.
- A one-off subsidy of up to HK$1 million to each operator with less than 100 employees. Expected to benefit about 40 operators.
Application period
Application details
The Civil Aviation Department and Airport Authority Hong Kong will approach the eligible Air Operator’s Certificate holders and companies to disburse the subsidies
Catering Business (Social Distancing) Subsidy Scheme
Subsidy
A one-off subsidy ranging from HK$250,000 to HK$2.2 million to catering outlets based on the size of their premises.
The subsidy will be disbursed in two tranches, and not less than 80% of the subsidy has to be used to pay employees’ salaries.
A licencee is required to undertake that there would be no redundancy of staff for three months after obtaining the subsidy, and it will not apply for subsidy under the Employment Support Scheme.
A further one-off subsidy of HK$50,000 is available for nightclubs with a restaurant licence directed by the government’s measures to close. A one-off subsidy of HK$50,000 to tenants of cooked food/light refreshment stalls at public markets managed by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. Expected to benefit 17,000 catering outlets and 920 market stalls, and their employees. A one-off subsidy ranging from HK$125,000 to HK$1.1 million to eligible licence holders in support of payment of employees' salaries for a three-month period (i.e. September to November of this year) according to the floor areas of the premises.
Application period
5 May - 5 June 2020
25 August - 14 September 2020 (Enhanced scheme)
Application details
Subsidy for Laundry Trade
Subsidy
To allocate about HK$90 million to subsidize the laundry and dry cleaning services industry.
A one-off subsidy ranging from HK$10,000 to HK$150,000 to each eligible laundry shop or workshop depending on the size of the operation.
Expected to benefit around 1,400 laundry shops and workshops.
Application period
Application details
Subsidy Scheme for Employment Agencies
Subsidy
A one-off lump sum subsidy to employment agencies (E As) with a valid licence issued by the Labour Department.
A subsidy of HK$50,000 to each main licence of an EA which provides foreign domestic helper placement services.
A subsidy of HK$30,000 to each main licence of an EA which do not provide foreign domestic helper placement services.
An additional subsidy of HK$10,000 to each duplicate licence for a branch office of both kinds of EA.
Application period
Application details
Subsidy for vehicle workshops set
Subsidy
A one-off non-accountable subsidy of HK$50,000 to each eligible vehicle maintenance workshop.
Workshops that wish to apply for the subsidy must have operated in a fixed place on or before February 1 and be in operation on the day of application.
Applicants will have to provide records of operation during the period from February 1 to May 31, such as information about the employed vehicle mechanics, vehicle maintenance service records, and electricity or water bills.
Workshops that benefited from the Retail Sector Subsidy Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund will not be subsidised in this exercise.
Application period
Application details
Subsidy Scheme for Precious Metals Trading Industry under Anti-epidemic Fund
Subsidy
Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange ( CGSE) members with a valid trading licence as at July 1, 2020, and still have trading status as a CGSE member at the time of application are eligible. CGSE members which do not have a valid trading licence ("D" status) or have been suspended from trading by CGSE ("S" status) at the time of application are not eligible for any subsidy. Each eligible CGSE member will receive a cash subsidy of HK$20,000.
Both "active" and "qualification retained" practitioners registered with CGSE (i.e. Executive Manager, Dealer or Account Executive) as at July 1, 2020, are eligible. Each eligible practitioner registered with CGSE will receive a cash subsidy of HK$1,200 per person.
Application period
Application details
Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau will send out electronic application forms (Chinese version only) for the Scheme to eligible CGSE members/practitioners registered with CGSE by email in batches.
Subsidy schemes for premises affected by COVID-19
Amusement Game Centres Subsidy Scheme
Subsidy
A one-off subsidy of HK$100,000.
Expected to benefit about 240 amusement game centres.
Application period
Application details
Commercial Bathhouses Licence Holder Subsidy Scheme
Subsidy
A one-off subsidy of HK$100,000.
Expected to benefit about 50 bathhouses.
Application period
Application details
Fitness Centre Subsidy Scheme
Subsidy
A one-off subsidy of HK$100,000.
Expected to benefit about 1,660 fitness centres.
Application period
Application details
Support places of amusement in anti-epidemic efforts
Subsidy
Billiard establishments, public bowling-alleys and public skating A one-off subsidy of HK$100,000. Expected to benefit about 59 establishments.
Application period
Application details
The application form and guidelines will be sent to each licence holder by mail or can be obtained from the Licensing and Prosecution Unit (address: 9/F, Leisure and Cultural Services Headquarters, 1-3 Pai Tau Street, Sha Tin, New Territories)
Place of Public Entertainment Licence Holder Subsidy Scheme
Subsidy
Holder of a Place of Public Entertainment Licence (except cinema) A one-off subsidy of HK$100,000. Expected to benefit about 180 establishments.
Holder of a temporary Place of Public Entertainment Licence A one-off subsidy of HK$20,000. Expected to benefit about 300 establishments.
Application period
Application details
Mahjong/Tin Kau Licence Holder Subsidy Scheme
Subsidy
A one-off subsidy of HK$100,000.
Expected to benefit about 66 establishments.
Application period
Application details
Subsidy scheme for beauty parlours, massage establishments and party rooms
Subsidy
A one-off subsidy ranging from HK$30,000 to HK$100,000 depending on the size of the premises, subject to a cap of HK$3,000,000 for each beauty parlour chain.
Expected to benefit about 7,000 beauty parlours.
Application period
Application details
Club-house Subsidy Scheme
Subsidy
A one-off subsidy of HK$100,000 to eligible club-houses.
Application period
Application details
Sports and Recreational Sites Subsidy Scheme
Subsidy
A one-off subsidy of HK$100,000 for facilities provided on each government site.
Expected to benefit about 80 establishments.
Application period
Application details
Easing the cash flow and burden of businesses and individuals
A 20% fare concession of MTR and temporary relaxation of the monthly threshold of the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme
Subsidy
MTR fare concession A 20% fare reduction provided by the MTR Corporation Limited for a time-limited period of six months between 1 July 2020 and 1 January 2021. The government will provide financial assistance to the MTR Corporation Limited on a 50:50 matching basis.
- Estimated additional expenditure is around HK$800 million. - Expected to benefit more than 5,000,000 passenger trips (subject to patronage). Expense threshold of Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme (PTFSS) To temporarily relax the monthly public transport expense threshold of the PTFSS from HK$400 to HK$200 for a time-limited period of six months between July and December 2020. Relevant additional expenditure will be financed by the provision in 2020-21. No additional funding will be sought . To be implemented in July 2020, and the beneficiaries could collect the enhanced subsidy from mid-August onwards . Expected to benefit around 3 million commuters.
Application period
Application details
Small- and medium-sized enterprises
Special 100% loan guarantee under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme
Subsidy
Increased to HK$50 billion.
The maximum loan amount per enterprise has been increased to HK$4 million and the principal moratorium arrangement has been extended to the first 12 months.
Application period
20 April 2020 - 19 April 2021
Application details
SME Financing Guarantee Scheme Application period has been extended to one year.
Enterprise should contact the participating lenders to apply for the loan or credit facility. The participating lenders will review the application before submitting the guarantee application form and relevant supporting documents to the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Insurance Limited for review and approval.
List of the participating lenders
