A Slew of News Today

Joshua Wong handily won for Kowloon East in the primaries

Lots of things happened today: the results of the primaries this past weekend thanks to 610,000 voters, the announcement of more social-distancing measures, and today is the third anniversary of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo's death, and 27th birthday of former lawmaker Nathan Law Kwun-chung.

Gwyneth Ho was a former Stand News reporter

Firstly, mostly big names were the big winners in the primaries that were held this weekend. Eddie Chu Hoi-dick, Joshua Wong Chi-fung, Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, and Ted Hui Chi-fung. Newcomer Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam swept New Territories East with Ventus Lau Wing-hong; Ho was previously a reporter with Stand News and was best known for continuing to record men attacking her in the Yuen Long MTR station last July 21.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor was asked for her comments about the results at a press conference this evening. She immediately described them as "so-called primaries" and added there is no such thing in Hong Kong elections, as a way to imply they were illegal.

Lam announced more stricter measures tonight

Then she added that if more than 35 pan-democrats make up the Legislative Council and oppose the government's proposed policies, then they would be breaching the national security law.

"I am not saying they have breached the law, but I have to put forward a warning," she said.

Lam even added the government had received a number of complaints about the two-day primaries, as it may have breached the numbers for social-distancing, and breaching privacy, and that it was unfair for the upcoming elections.

At the same press conference, Lam announced stricter measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic, as there were 41 local cases today. These measures for one week include: no dining in from 6pm to 5am, only takeout; if dining in restaurants for breakfast and lunch, no more than four per table; masks are mandatory when taking any public transport; and 12 kinds of premises, including gyms and cinemas will shut down for a week.

Ocean Park, Disneyland will be closed again

One could have heard a collective groan from the entire city, especially those in the restaurant industry who depend on dinner service. Reporters repeatedly asked Lam and her cabinet why only dinner was restricted, and they replied several times that dinner was when people usually gathered to eat and spend more time than compared to breakfast and lunch.

Already there were comparisons of the virus to gremlins, as if they only came out to wreck havoc at night! The virus is everywhere all the time. We are still scratching our heads on not allowing dining in for dinner.

Lam also hinted the government was being kind to the catering industry for only shutting them down for dinner for one week.

Gym rats will be scratching at the walls desperate to get their workouts on a daily basis. Perhaps more will show up along the waterfront again and at Dr Sun Yat-sen Park. Disneyland and Ocean Park will be closed too.

Restaurants can only offer takeaway for dinner

We will all have to dig deep and try to keep infections numbers low.

Meanwhile today Nathan Law tweeted that he was in London, flying there with a backpack and a small suitcase, and is now living in a small apartment.

He also hints that the decision to leave was made rather quickly.

"As I turn 27 today, I can't say I'm anything but anxious and unsettled. I'm not one to celebrate my birthday, especially since Liu Xiaobo's passing on this very day three years ago. There's not much to be cheerful about," he tweeted. "My biggest wish is peace to Hong Kongers. We will keep our city and spirit alive."

It's a sad anniversary for sure. Liu died of liver cancer three years ago at the age of 61. His friends claim Liu would have been "heartbroken" to see Hong Kong being "mainlandized" and "communised".

Remembering Liu Xiaobo today

The statement added they believed Hongkongers would continue to put up resistance despite the new national security law.

Which brings us back to the massive turnout for the primaries; it's news he would probably like to hear.