Breaking Out for Easter

People flocked to the beaches at Repulse Bay for the start of Easter break

 

Hong Kong recorded 16 new coronavirus cases today for a total of 989, but with today being the start of Easter, a four-day holiday, there were concerns people were not observing social distancing rules.

And that concern was right, with beaches at Repulse Bay packed with people, many not wearing masks, or hiking up Victoria Peak on Hong Kong island, or Tai Mo Shan, the city's highest peak located in the New Territories.

Dr Chuang (left) is concerned about a new wave of cases

In Tsim Sha Tsui, the Avenue of the Stars was crowded, as was the K11 Musea shopping mall and the food court in the basement that is very cramped to start with in normal circumstances.

What happened?

Turns out people were tired of being cooped up at home these last few weeks and wanted to get out and enjoy the sunshine. But should they really be going out at this time when we are very close to flattening the curve?

"I observed that many people are on the streets," said Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Centre for Health Protection. "If people relax their practice of maintaining social-distancing rules, there may be a new wave of infections by asymptomatic cases."

She added there could be more mild cases in the community that are not being picked up... yet.

Shoppers also went to the new K11 mall in Tsim Sha Tsui

We shall see a week from now if this four-day long weekend will result in an increase of coronavirus cases or not.

In the meantime, Happy Easter?