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The interior design of the bookstore, Parenthéses.

Pandemic Makes People Leave The number of working visas ernment has categorised 15 European
COVID-19 travel restrictions granted to French citizens dived from countries, including France and Swit-
might have boosted the number of 2,091 in 2019 to 988 in 2020. As of zerland, as “high-risk”. Vaccinated
visitors at the French bookshop, but September 2021, a total of 693 visas Hong Kong residents who have stayed
it has made more French people leave were issued, according to the Hong in these high-risk countries must un-
the city. Kong Immigration Department.
“COVID-19 made people rethink At Parenthéses, customers come “
their plans of living abroad. Compa- to shop and bid farewell before going
nies also realise they can operate from back to France. I cannot leave
home and cut jobs. [There are many “[Foreigners leave Hong Kong] al-
uncertainties currently] and people most every day now as the COVID-19 this place. The
are thinking of leaving. It is a phase we restrictions tighten. People want to
have to adapt to,” says Jean-Sebastian leave because they are not able to visit bookshop is a com-
Attié, executive director of Alliance their families abroad. It is sad, really, mitment and Hong
Française Hong Kong (AFHK). but I do hope for positive change,”
The number of French nationals in Progin says. Kong is a city you
Hong Kong registered with the Con- Members of the European com-
sulate General of France dropped to munity have objected to the govern- get attached to.
12,342 as of September 1, 2021, com- ment’s strict restrictions.
pared to 14,104 in 2019. In August, the Hong Kong gov- ”