Shock and Ridicule in One Day

Three national security police with Chung (second left) today

 

Today the National Security Police nabbed three young people related to a pro-independence group called Studentlocalism, one just metres away from the United States Consulate in Central.

The Hong Kong police said the trio, aged 17 to 21, were arrested for breaching the national security law with social media posts allegedly inciting others to split the country.

Chung allegedly violated the national security law

At 8am this morning the former leader of the group, Tony Chung Hon-lam, 19, was taken by national security police as he was at a coffee shop just across the street from the consulate. He was planning to go to the consulate to seek asylum.

However, the US does not grant asylum to people at its diplomatic postings -- asylum seekers need to be on US soil to apply. 

When the media contacted the local police to ask how to get in touch with the national security police about Chung's arrest, the force replied there were no contact details.

Huh? Perhaps this is the new normal?

Meanwhile later in the day two others, Yannis Ho and William Chan, were arrested by the national security police when they reported to the local police station for their previous arrest on July 29 along with Chung also related to violating the national security law. 

Chung was 50 metres from the US Consulate

At the time Chung's passport was taken, preventing him from leaving, and facing the charges makes it hard for him to enroll in post secondary studies.

He reportedly wanted to seek asylum because he was told on Monday to report to the police station today and Chung feared he would face further charges and his bail conditions revoked.

So far it is reported the trio have access to legal assistance, but will their situation continue to be relatively transparent?

Apart from this shocking news, there was farcical news coming from the Hong Kong government.

Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee announced there would be a further loosening of social-distancing measures. Starting Friday restaurants can have six people per table, up from two, and bars another two people per group to four. These businesses can also remain open until 2am, whereas currently they have to close at midnight.

However, public social distancing needs to remain at four people.

From Friday restaurants can have six to a table

That means theoretically that six people could go out for dinner at a restaurant, but as soon as all of them walk out of the restaurant, they could be arrested for not social distancing.

How does that make any sense?

When asked to explain this, Chan replied:

"Generally speaking, we must appeal to the public not to gather... even though we're exempting [the public gathering ban for certain activities], those social-distancing measures have conditions... and their risks can be managed," she said.

"Of course, any relaxation [of social-distancing measures] will carry risks, but most importantly we're not relaxing all the rules at the same time... and will continue to do so step by step. We will continue to monitor the epidemic and make adjustments when necessary."

Huh.

Oh and after over three months (basically the summer), beaches will finally reopen on November 3. 

Beaches will finally open November 3

Either the government is getting a lot of heat from the catering sector, or it isn't too worried about the fourth wave coming.

But yes if there are six of you dining, make sure the police aren't milling outside the restaurant ready to pounce...