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By The SUN
Bad news for technophobes, or those who do not do mobile banking or subscribe to any other form of electronic money transfers.
Your lai see haul this year could take a dip, if your usual generous givers decide to follow an advice to go electronic this year, instead of handing out the traditional red packets containing cash during Chinese New Year.
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A statement issued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority tonight calls on the public to use various e-channels for giving lai see. Among the means suggested was the HKMA’s Faster Payment System available via online or mobile banking, or other e-wallet services.
The call is intended to reduce the chance of transmitting the coronavirus through the exchange of money or red packets, and avoiding the pre-CNY queues at banks for the crisp bills that are preferred for the cash-gifts.
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“During the CNY, major banks and electronic payment operators will introduce various programmes to promote electronic payment as a convenient and fun way of giving and receiving lai-see,” said the statement.
“This will also eliminate the hassle of exchanging new notes at bank branches, help safeguard public health and contribute to environmental protection.”
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But realizing that old habits die hard, the HKMA has at the same time consulted with the city’s three note-issuing banks on how to continue the practice of exchanging bills for lai see, while safeguarding public health.
“To meet the needs of these people and those without access to electronic payment channels (especially senior citizens), and at the same time safeguarding public health, banks will implement proactive measures to protect their customers and staff,” said the statement.
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The HKMA also assured everyone that the stock of new notes this year is twice as big as in the previous year, while that for good-as-new notes is three times bigger. Thus, there is no need to rush to the banks to be among the first to get hold of the precious bills.
To ensure a safer distribution, the notes exchange service at banks will be extended from the previous two weeks to three weeks this year, meaning from Jan 26 to Feb 11, the eve of CNY.
In addition, the banks have undertaken to have an abundant supply of new notes everyday, allocate more counters for the notes exchange, and take measures to promote social distancing, such as managing queues and distributing tickets when needed.
Major banks will also provide online booking for notes exchange.
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