Organisers of one of the SAR’s largest annual outdoor bazaars on Thursday allowed food tasting again for the first time since the Covid pandemic started almost three years ago.

A relaxation of government rules means eating and drinking are now permitted in outdoor areas of public entertainment and event venues.

However, some visitors to the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo decided to give the food samples on offer a miss, saying they were too worried about about catching Covid.

"For the sake of hygiene and safety, I think it's better to not allow food-tasting. You have to take off your mask. [Price] promotion is enough for me," said a man surnamed Lee.

A woman surnamed Law agreed: "I'm afraid of being infected with Covid."

But a woman surnamed Chan said the goodies were too tempting to resist.

"Pandemic control is more important. But the food is too attractive. My kid cannot hold back to try the food," she said.

Organisers said they expected the food tasting arrangement to boost vendors' turnover by a fifth.

"Visitors can see and taste the food when chatting with friends here. This can build up the atmosphere of such an in-person expo," said Allen Shi, the president of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong.

A vendor said Thursday's sales were far better than those on Wednesday, when food tasting was still banned.