🌊Mido, BBQ pits reopen; nature is healing!
🌊Mido, BBQ pits reopen; nature is healing!
All minibus routes have livetracking
Good morning,
In lieu of not getting this out this morning, I was able to include some of this morning’s news as well.
Most importantly the headline story that MIDO CAFE IS BACCCCCCKKKKKK.
Is it very good? I think it’s ok. But it’s iconic!
We might need to update our 'welcome to heaven meme’
— Cyril
On Today’s Tide
Culture |
Mido returns!
COVID |
Two tiered testing payment system
BBQ pits reopen and other COVID loosenings
Transport | All Minibus routes have real-time tracking
Events
Behind the paywall:
Economy |
U.S. lawmakers request Wall St. bankers to boycott Banking Summit
Citigroup CEO gets COVID, denied entrance to summit
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Nature is healing
COVID-induced shut downs are starting to un-shut down now that COVID rules are loosening.
Mido Cafe
Iconic Yau Ma Tei diner ‘Mido Cafe’ is reopening after months of hiatus due to COVID induced restaurant shutdowns. According to visitors, the owners said they wanted to open earlier but could not due to a lack of staff.
The Cha Caan Teng, with its green tiled walls and curved exterior, was a visual staple of the area. It had been featured in Wong Kar Wai films, HK Ballet advertisments and more before COVID induced restaurant shut downs forced it to shutter on 19 Jul.
At the time, a note was taped to the door reading that it was “time to take a break” and that “we’ll meet again if the fates allow. So long farewell, adieu, ciao, sayonara, adios”.
A new note was stuck over the original today saying
“Mido Cafe. 10/28. Welcome <3”
HT trip? On me?
COVID in Hong Kong
COVID-19 in Hong Kong
New cases: 5687
Total cases: 1,897,693
New deaths: 8
Total deaths:
Compulsory Testing locations: 64
COVID rules loosening 3 Nov
With daily cases floating around 5k and not many increase in deaths, the government announced yesterday that rules with be further loosened starting 3 Nov.
BBQ pits are back
Barbecue pits were one of the first things closed when COVID hit Hong Kong. For some reason, despite bars, pubs, restaurants, parks and even tourism (somewhat) reopening, BBQ pits were still seen as too dangerous to reopen.
There was much Twitter fanfare when pits were announced to be slowly reopened from 3 Nov with government support.
Restrictions to restaurant and bar hours dropped
Restaurants and bars will no longer having working hours limited from 3 Nov. This applies to all scheduled premises under Cap 599F. The requirement to wear masks when not eating and to use LHS has not been impacted.
However, it is now legal to take your mask off for group photographs “on stage” at gatherings even when not eating or drinking.
When pressed on the inconsistency of still requiring mask wearing but just not when taking photographs, authorities said that the risk was mangeable.
Tiered payment for PCR tests
As of today, PCR tests at government centers will have a tiered payment system for self-paid tests (i.e. those not under government compulsory testing and therefore not free).
Express tests with results within 12 hours will be $240 whereas standard tests with results within 24 hours (what we currently have) will be reduced to $150.
You can also make test bookings on LeaveHomeSafe without using the online booking system.
Where’s my minibus - a question of the past
The Transport Department announced yesterday that all 551 Green Minibus (GMB) routes now have real time tracking on the TD’s HKeMobility app (which often crashes and is nowhere as good as the KMB app but I digress).
The program for equipping GMB with real-time tracking started in March 2021. The remaining 98 routes missing on the system were completed yesterday.
Events and deals
Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes
Hong Kong Oktoberfest Southside: Free tickets!
Harbour Times, in combination with The Underground, are proud to offer free tickets to Oktoberfest Southside. Back after a three year hiatus, the festival now takes place outside the brand new Oceanpark Waterworld. Running from 21 Oct to 8 Nov, the festival features traditional german food and drink, and live music courtesy of The Underground.
From now till 1st November, we will be picking four winners a day for free entrance to the festival - you can bring friends too!
Details on our social media post!
CHOMP! One Year Anniversary Party!
Our friends at CHOMP! are turning one! We first met the founders of the food saving app, Chris and Carla, at ReThink 2021 and we’ve since featured Carla as a Leader of The Week and in articles on sustainability.
Come celebrate with us on 11 Nov as we bring in another year of not throwing away food that’s still good.
Where: House Studio, Soho House. Sheung Wan
When: 7-11pm
Cost: $100 (+fees)
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