Top Official Sent to Quarantine After Birthday Party

Hung (left) sings at his own birthday with over 100 guests

Just as Hongkongers were dreading today would be the last day to have dinner in a restaurant before more severe social-distancing measures would be imposed tomorrow, there was news that 10 government officials attended a birthday party where a person was infected with the Omicron virus.

Over 100 people were at a party hosted by Witman Hung Wai-man, principal liaison officer for Hong Kong and the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority. Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui Ying-wai was among one of the guests and will be sent to quarantine at Penny's Bay along with Allen Fung, political assistant for Hong Kong Secretary for Development.

Lam disappointed at Tsui for attending the party

Pictures of the party at a Spanish restaurant in Wan Chai show attendees not wearing masks, and Hung holding a microphone and belting out a tune while putting his arm around a maskless woman.

At a press conference this afternoon, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor expressed her dismay at Tsui and the other officials for not following the advice of their health colleagues warning people to limit their gatherings, though she was quick to add some of the officials may have just gone to the party to pass on their greetings and then leave soon afterwards before the infected person arrived at 9.30pm.

"I am very disappointed, because this anti-pandemic work has persisted for so long, so many of us have been working so hard to fight against the pandemic, so as principal officials of the administration, we should lead by example and refrain from taking part in private events," Lam said, adding, "this is clearly a private event, and not a function required by public duty."

Tsui apologised and will be sent to quarantine

Reporters pointed out a day earlier Lam was looking into making Cathay Pacific legally responsible for its crews for spreading the Omicron variant in the community, and asked if she would bear the responsibility for her ministers for attending this party. Lam replied:

"A leader has the responsibility to lead, and should be accountable even if they are not aware of the event. However, this system of accountability does not mean that I am responsible for personal decisions a colleague of mine took."

So if taken in that context, does that mean she won't be punishing Cathay further?

Less than two hours later Tsui took to Facebook and apologised to the central government, the chief executive, the governing team, his bureau colleagues, and Hongkongers for "failing to hold fast to his position at a critical time", adding he would "reflect sincerely and deeply" during quarantine. His profile picture was changed to a black circle.

Meanwhile Lam said the government offices at Tamar would be disinfected and cleaned overnight.

Hung's birthday party invite

This fiasco is exactly the kind of thing Lam does not need right now, but how would Tsui have known an infected person was coming to the party? Nevertheless, it's about setting a good example, and Tsui may not last much longer in this administration.

Perhaps one good thing to come out of this would be for Tsui to experience first hand what it's like to quarantine in Penny's Bay and understand the hardships involved. 

Maybe then some changes will be made to the facilities there? Or are we being too hopeful?