Letters | Hong Kong coronavirus handout: HK$5,000 vouchers should be issued in paper too

There are still a number of – mostly elderly – people who are not familiar with e-payment platforms, and use cash regularly. We shouldn’t forget these former taxpayers

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People buy food at a wet market in Wan Chai in December 2020. The e-voucher scheme should not leave behind people and stores that use cash. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 7:05am, 17 Apr 2021Updated: 7:05am, 17 Apr 2021

I am writing in response to Ben L. Tsang’s letter on the distribution of HK$5,000 e-vouchers (“Hong Kong voucher scheme risks leaving out smaller, neighbourhood businesses”, April 14). Tsang argues that more payment platforms should be included in the voucher scheme. I agree. In fact, the government should consider offering paper vouchers to those who don’t have access to any e-payment platform.

It’s true that AlipayHK, WeChat Pay HK, Tap & Go and Octopus, the e-payment providers chosen for the digital voucher scheme, are used by most Hongkongers. According to our financial secretary, they cover up to 100,000 merchants in all sectors.

But there are still a small number of – mostly elderly – people who are not familiar with e-payment platforms, and use cash regularly. We shouldn’t leave behind these people who used to pay tax. Paper vouchers are a good way to include them in the scheme.

Moreover, as Tsang mentions, most of the merchants who accept e-payment are the large restaurant and retail chains. Small merchants often only accept cash. These merchants are as important as chain stores, as they pay tax every year and contribute to Hong Kong’s economy. We shouldn’t leave them behind either or require them to set up a new payment system. They could easily exchange paper vouchers for cash from the government.

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While the government can promote the benefits of using digital vouchers through the four e-payment operators, the scheme should offer a paper option too.