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?

HK Protesters Still Angry about Anti-Mask Ban

Origami cranes spell out, "Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong"

Another weekend, another violent protest.

On Saturday things seemed quieter, with pockets of incidents here and there in Kowloon. But today, protesters split up and covered at least 10 of Hong Kong's 18 districts in a bid to continue to show the government their anger towards the anti-mask ban and make it harder for the police to arrest them.

Tonight Mongkok seems like the focal point of tensions and violence, with at least 20 Molotov cocktails thrown at the police station there. Meanwhile in Kwun Tong, MTR station, a police officer had his neck slashed, and he is currently in stable condition in hospital.

Eleven others were also sent to hospital.

Vandalism in Sha Tin station led to its early closure today

However the police are not completely innocent -- a bystander in Tseung Kwan O witnessed protesters wearing masks damaging a Starbucks outlet in Popcorn Mall. But by the time the riot police arrived, the protesters had fled. However the police spotted three people, not wearing black or masks, walking by the area at that moment and pushed them to the ground, and ripped their clothes.

"Witnesses asked them to release them. This is ridiculous! Does this mean that us citizens can never eat in a restaurant? ... We question why the Hong Kong police force acts in this way," he said.

The vandalism of MTR stations in Kowloon and the New Territories tonight has led to the early closure of 27 of the 94 stations ahead of the scheduled 10pm time. Perhaps these stations will be closed tomorrow, or maybe we will have limited service again, back to 8pm? 9pm?

Lady Liberty stands at the peak of Lion's Rock

Earlier in the day protests were peaceful, with people at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin gathering in the shopping mall to sing Glory to Hong Kong and shout slogans, while at Avenue of the Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, people were busy folding origami cranes that spelled out "Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong".

Also the statue Lady Liberty, a tall sculpture of a female protester wearing goggles and helmet, holding an umbrella in one hand, and black flag in the other, was somehow transported up 495 metres to the peak of Lion's Rock, that overlooks the city. An impressive feat and sight.

As the nameless and faceless people have to clean up the city after another busy weekend tonight, we leave you with perhaps the best scene of the day back in Mongkok, when a protester was inspired by Bruce Lee? Streetfighter? We will never know.

De-arrest in progress shared today via WhatsApp #HKprotests pic.twitter.com/V3Dq3uUC4E

— Illegally Assembled Paddy (香港) (@HighlandPaddyHK) October 13, 2019