Subsidy Scheme for Beauty Parlours, Massage Establishments and Party Rooms 2022 application arrangements

     Pursuant to the earlier announcement to launch the fifth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund (Fund) to provide a one-off subsidy to business premises which have been directed to suspend business operations since January 7, 2022, the Government will launch the Subsidy Scheme for Beauty Parlours, Massage Establishments and Party Rooms 2022 (the Scheme).

     As multiple types and a great number of business premises will be covered under the Scheme, in line with the arrangement in the previous three rounds, a dedicated website (bmpsubsidy.gov.hk) will be set up to receive applications. The online application system will facilitate submission of applications by concerned operators and efficient processing of applications and disbursement of subsidies.
 
     The Scheme Secretariat is now pressing ahead with the preparatory work. Applications under the Scheme will open on February 7 (Monday).
 
     The application arrangements of the Scheme are as follows:

Beneficiaries
 
     Beauty parlours, massage establishments and party rooms (including local pleasure vessels let for hire or reward (pleasure vessels)) that have suspended operations since January 7 pursuant to the closure order issued by the Government under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) will be eligible for the Scheme. The Scheme is also applicable to beauty parlours, massage establishments and party rooms operated by social enterprises (SEs).

Subsidy amount
 
     Each eligible beauty parlour or massage establishment will receive a one-off subsidy depending on its number of workers:
 

 
     The maximum subsidy amount for beauty parlour or massage establishment chain stores operated by a single entity under the same business registration is $1.5 million.
 
     Each eligible party room or pleasure vessel will receive a one-off subsidy of $20,000.

Application period
 
     The online application system will commence operation at 9am on February 7 (Monday). The deadline for application is 11.59pm on February 20 (Sunday).

Application methods
 

• Beauty parlours, massage establishments and party rooms with a business registration should file their applications through the Scheme's dedicated online application website (bmpsubsidy.gov.hk) within the application period.
• SE operators of beauty parlours, massage establishments and party rooms without a business registration should submit their applications via the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
• Owners of pleasure vessels do not need to use the online application system to file an application. The Marine Department will issue a notification letter to the owners of all eligible pleasure vessels owners by late January. The Department will handle the relevant procedures and the disbursement of the subsidy. 

Information and enquiries
 
     A dedicated telephone hotline (1836 188) and email (info@bmpsubsidy.hk) will commence operation at 9am on January 26 (Wednesday) to handle enquiries on the details of the Scheme. Information on the Scheme will also be available at the hotline's voice response system from 2pm on January 24 (Monday).

Disbursement of subsidy
 
     The Scheme is expected to benefit about 13 000 eligible premises (including pleasure vessels). A sum of $318 million has been earmarked under the Fund for the Scheme. The Scheme Secretariat will give priority to the processing of applications from successful applicants in the previous three rounds of the Scheme, with a view of disbursing the subsidy from mid-February onwards.