The Anti-epidemic Subsidy Scheme for the Laundry Trade opened for applications today and will run until June 12 to help the trade cope with challenges brought by the current economic situation.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the business of various sectors has declined sharply. The laundry trade which provides downstream support has been hard hit.

About $90 million has been earmarked under the Anti-epidemic Fund for the scheme to provide a one-off subsidy to help the laundry and dry cleaning services industry meet their operational costs. Around 1,400 laundry shops and workshops are expected to benefit.

To take care of the livelihood of elderly employees, the scheme requires an undertaking from applicants not to reduce the total number of employees aged 65 or above for three months upon receipt of the subsidies. Otherwise, the Government may retrieve any subsidy already disbursed.

Eligible applicants must hold valid business registration certificates for operating laundry and dry cleaning services or related collection and dispatch services at outlet shops.

The services should have been in operation on or before May 12 and still in operation on the date of submitting the application.

Depending on the size of the operation, an eligible laundry shop or workshop will receive a one-off subsidy ranging from $10,000 to $150,000.

The first batch of subsidies is expected to be disbursed to approved applicants in late June at the earliest.

Call 3107 8403 or email enquiries to the Environmental Protection Department which implements the scheme.