Coronavirus and the death of nightlife

Well it happened.  More shutdowns.

On the weekend, the level of shutdown was increased.  Social gatherings of more than four are now banned.  Bars and other venues that are "exclusively or mainly used" for the sale of alcohol have been shut.  Early in the week, the government finally relented with the closure of karaoke bars and mahjong parlours, but only after another cluster of people fell ill after a visit to a karaoke bar.

Everything has gone deathly quiet, even as the lights are still on.

The street party on Peel street is now long gone.  I look at the emptiness with this feeling of sadness and nostalgia for what was once there.  Only weeks ago, this was a bustling hub for people around the world to congregate and to socialise.

Elsewhere famous pubs and bars have also been shuttered.  The streets are quiet and the steps that used to act as benches are now being used as thoroughfares once again.

Even the MTRs have gone quiet.

Everyone has been filled with concern about using the public transportation system, but ironically this is probably one of the safer ways to get around now.  With no one using the MTR, there's little chance you're going to come into contact with anyone or be close enough to someone to catch anything.

I'm sure this will all pass one day.  I just wonder what will be left once it does pass?  What will recover and what will be gone forever?  I used to think the party never ended in Hong Kong, but the music has now most definitely stopped.