HK to Fiinally Relax Some Measures April 21

Restaurants are excited to have dinner service next week

Finally the news everyone was waiting for -- DINNER IS BACK ON!

Today Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor confirmed that social-distancing measures will be further relaxed on April 21, with dinner available until 10pm and four to a table, while gyms, beauty salons, religious venues and cinemas will be reopened. The ban on no more than two households meeting together will be lifted too.

However, swimming pools, beaches and barbecue sites will have to wait for the next phase together with bars and pubs...

Lam proudly showing she's got her fourth jab

Interestingly anyone seeing a movie in the cinema or be employed there will also have to be triple jabbed.

"At this point in time and into the near term, Hong Kong is much, much better prepared to handle another wave," Lam said during the daily press conference. "Nobody wants a sixth wave, but if a sixth wave hits us, we are now much, much better prepared, she said, pointing to the sufficient treatment facilities, quarantine centres and ample supply of Covid vaccines.

"With this greater capacity, it will be very, very unreasonable and perhaps unacceptable to the majority of Hong Kong people to continue to close all these premises and allow people no chance to lead a normal life."

Interesting she says this now after howls of complaints and multinational companies fleeing Hong Kong, but perhaps she can now that she's leaving office.

Anyone interested in living in isolation cells?

And yes there are plentiful quarantine -- or rather isolation units, shipping container units converted into cells that Chinese state media like to call "mobile hospital units", when in fact they are just a bare room with four beds. Toilets and showers are elsewhere...

This is what the next phase of Covid-19 will look like in Hong Kong. Any takers?

Finally, Some Loosening of Restrictions

Lam delivered some good news to Hong Kong residents today

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has finally loosened some restrictions, but social-distancing measures are still in place until at least April 21.

Those stuck abroad in the nine countries that were banned for months, including Canada, the United States, Australia, India, Nepal, and Britain, can finally come back direct from April 1. In addition travellers coming to Hong Kong will need to show a PCR test no more than 48 hours before boarding. When they arrive and test negative, they can quarantine in a hotel for one week if their PCR tests are negative on the fifth day, and RAT tests are negative on day six and seven.

HK residents in nine countries can return April 1

Also Lam said universal testing was indefinitely postponed for now until the fifth wave was under control and needed to flush out the rest of the infections. She cited how tens of thousands of staff would be needed to be mobilised for this operation, something that would be difficult to accomplish well in Hong Kong's environment.

If the number of cases go down further this month, then social-distancing measures will be further relaxed in three phases. The first would be having four people to a table in a restaurant and dining until 10pm, while gyms, beauty parlours and religious venues would reopen along with museums and sports venues run by the government.

Then at a later date, phase two would entail bars, pubs, karaoke lounges, swimming pools and public beaches can reopen, restaurants could have up to eight people per table and open until midnight.

From April 21, people can eat four to a table

In the third phase, all restrictions would be lifted on restaurants and bars, and opening hours extended.

Remember the students currently on their "summer break"? That all ends on April 19 when face-to-face classes resume. Lam also encouraged students to get their jabs.

No sooner had she made the announcement on lifting the ban on the nine countries did Hong Kong residents overseas start trying to book for tickets. Airlines and hotels were hearing the announcement at the same time and were probably scrambling to establish schedules, rooms and prices.

It was also announced yesterday that people need to get their booster by May 31 instead of the end of June in order to be able to enter many public places, such as restaurants, shopping malls, government offices, universities, hospitals and hair salons to get people vaccinated.

Children are encouraged to get vaccinated

Interesting to see what unvaccinated people have to say about pushing up deadlines. They will be further shut out of daily life in Hong Kong while the rest of us are moving on.

Also interesting was that Lam insists the government is not adopting the strategy of "living with the virus", but perhaps she has been given a directive that it's time to loosen up a bit for the sake of the economy...

Lam's Concessions Too Little, Too Late

Lam said today that people's tolerance is fading 

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor continues to be behind the ball -- waaaaayyy behind.

Today in her daily press conference she conceded that Hong Kong residents have had enough with the government's social-distancing measures -- some of the most toughest in the world -- and perhaps it was time to review the and relax some of them.

Business leaders like Zeman pleaded with Lam

"I'm working [on] it day and night to find the optimal solution for Hong Kong," Lam said, referring to a plan for the city to reopen to the outside world. 

"The time has come, not because the number of cases has come down significantly -- they are actually now at a high-level plateau -- but I have a very strong feeling that people's tolerance is fading. I have a very good [feeling] that some of our financial institutions are losing patience about the isolated status of Hong Kong."

Really? After numerous heads of chambers of commerce, diplomats, and business leaders of multinational companies have pleaded for over two years with Lam to be more realistic about keeping borders open to keep the flow of business coming into Hong Kong, she finally realises they are leaving or have already left.

Many of them have had enough of the restrictions, that make it impossible to travel in and out of Hong Kong to do business without having to do quarantine weeks on end, flights being cancelled and social-distancing measures. And as a result a number of companies have moved or are moving to Singapore, soon to replace Hong Kong as Asia's hub.

Over 50,000 people left from March 1-15

In February 71,354 people left, a record since the start of the fifth wave in late December, while in the first half of March 50,505 people left, many of them trying to avoid the mass testing lockdown, or leaving permanently.

On top of that are local residents departing their hometowns for good, terrified of the national security law and national education, and looking to raise their families elsewhere.

So what is Lam doing to stem the flow?

As early as Sunday she will announce if the mass testing will still go ahead or not, along with the possible relaxation of quarantine requirements from 14 days to seven.

Why this sudden turn around when all along Lam has been pushing for zero-Covid?

Has Beijing finally realised that it is impossible to stamp out the virus completely and is using Hong Kong as a test case to live with the virus -- with Chinese characteristics?

Landmark shopping mall at noon yesterday

We are waiting with baited breath -- everyone from restaurant and bar owners, operators of gyms, sports coaches, beauty salons, mahjong parlours, to art and museum institutions, movie theatres, performing arts groups, and the tens of thousands of workers who have lost their jobs during this pandemic.

Hong Kong is dying and it's time for common sense and science to prevail.

How to Push Unvaccinated to get Jab

Crowded areas may need vaccine passport to get in, like MTR

The Hong Kong government is finally -- FINALLY considering having residents use a vaccine passport to do their daily necessities, from taking public transport to entering shopping malls in a bid to boost the vaccination rate in the city.

There were 115 cases recorded today of which 111 were locally transmitted while four were imported. Of the local cases, six were untraceable. About 80 people have tested preliminary positive which will show up in tomorrow's case numbers.

With a sixth straight day of triple digit case numbers, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has set the vaccination target at 90 percent. Currently 79.1 percent of the population has had at least one dose.

Transport workers worry of chaos using passport

However there will be fears of transportation chaos if people must show their vaccination records before getting on a bus, minibus, taxi or MTR. Can you imagine the long lines and short tempers? It would be an absolute nightmare for public transport workers having to bear the brunt of the frustration.

But this might have to be done in order to push people to get the jab. It is forceful, but vaccination is the only way out of this pandemic. Refusing to get the jab not only puts the unvaccinated person in jeopardy in terms of their health, but also impacts others around them, though they don't think of it that way at all.

Others say their doctors have advised them against getting it, not wanting to be responsible for side effects, especially those with chronic illnesses, or the elderly. That really doesn't help the rest of us. We have to think in terms of the greater good.

Already in several North American cities people have to show their vaccination records in order to eat in a restaurant, work out in the gym or attend a concert. 

Leave Home Safe app used more often now

Today a friend opened his bar and I had time before 6pm (when bars and restaurants close) to take a quick peek. At the door I not only scanned the Leave Home Safe app, but also had to show my vaccination record, which threw me back, but I complied. 

Everyone else was maskless and having a good time with the loud dance music, while I kept my mask on practically the whole time (15 minutes). I wondered if this was the future of Hong Kong post-Covid, that as long as everyone showed their proof of vaccination people could party...

Nevertheless, Chinese University public health professor Kwok Kin-on thinks pushing people to get vaccinated in order to use public transport and enter supermarkets is too extreme, and that the vaccine passport should be introduced gradually to avoid the public rejecting the scheme.

"If we can achieve our goal of boosting the vaccination rate without taking extreme measures, then it will not be necessary [to include all major public places]," Kwok said, adding that the requirement for vaccine passports at restaurants from February 24 could push many people to get their first jab.

In Vancouver must show vaccine record to eat out

One would think, but my relatives still refuse to get it, fearing the side effects it could cause. They claim they don't have to eat in restaurants, but that would mean forever. They don't seem to get that Covid is here for the long term and we have to adapt to it whether we like it or not.

Meanwhile the rest of us who are vaccinated and boosted are tired and want to move onto the next level. Why should people who have been jabbed have to wait for the rest to catch up? There should be advantages to having been inoculated, but so far the government doesn't seem to think they need to be rewarded (which is a serious blunder on its part).

Restaurants and hotels will be struggling for the next few months, waiting for Omicron to settle down, and also for everyone else to get vaccinated. Again the government squandered precious time to get people vaccinated, but hopefully with the current fifth wave nearing its peak that residents will be concerned about their own health to finally -- FINALLY get the jab.

Omicron Blues for Restaurants and Bars

Restaurants and bars having a tough time with Omicron

People in the food and beverage industry are back to having evenings to themselves with restaurants and bars shut at 6pm; only those offering takeaway can stay open.

People need to eat, but don't want to linger

Some restaurants have tried to offer late lunches and early dinners, but there aren't many takers this time. Last year many people were stuck with not much to do at work so they took advantage of lingering longer in places, particularly fine-dining restaurants.

But perhaps this time the real fear of Omicron being really contagious and having two jabs doesn't guarantee protection has made people really worry.

There were 21 new cases today, one local, four import-related, the rest were from overseas.

Our office has mandated that only people who are fully vaccinated can come into the office, and must show their certification. So it was a surprise to find a number of my colleagues have not been jabbed and don't intend to be inoculated either. One finally gave in, as he was recently promoted to lead a department.

Tonight's view of the harbour from Wan Chai

Some people grumble the government should not have said the restrictions will be in place for two weeks, but instead should just say off the bat that it's for one month. Two weeks gives people hope that they will be able to celebrate Chinese New Year which starts on February 1, but the reality is at this point, with clusters popping up here and there, health officials will not be able to clamp down on Omicron that quickly.

Previous experiences have also shown restrictions extended for more than a month. The start of the Year of the Tiger will most probably be cancelled. 

As for myself, this means more time on my hands in the evenings. The cooler temperatures have made it perfect conditions for walking and jogging along the harbourfront. This evening I actually walked and jogged over 11km which was quite an accomplishment for me. I used to be shocked at seeing people wearing T-shirts and shorts in 13 degree weather, but once you start running you understand why.

Hamburger of the moment

In the meantime, this afternoon I visited a bar to talk to the owner about cocktails when I perused his menu. On the list of things to eat I spied this item. Will have to try it next time.

Pandemic Woes Continue

Interesting vaccination loopholes pop up as incidents happen

 A few months ago it was discovered that people in Hong Kong signed up to get vaccinated in one place but showed up at another (and got a different vaccine).

This man went to the wrong centre and wrong jab

Now there's a case of a 30-year-old Singaporean man who was inoculated with the Moderna vaccine in his home state, came back to Hong Kong where he works and got two BioNTech jabs so that he could have a local record of being vaccinated in order to go to bars.

Hong Kong authorities have warned they may prosecute the man for his "extremely selfish and irresponsible" behaviour.

Health experts also believe getting four jabs is excessive and could have harmed his health. The incident also revealed a loophole that healthcare workers at the vaccination centre did not ask if he was inoculated overseas. 

Are you ready for pandemic traveling to Europe?

But why would anyone think to ask that question when the vast majority of people have not left Hong Kong in over a year and a half?

There were also concerns that those to administered the jab to him would be in trouble for wasting vaccine resources. This is also excessive, considering there are more than enough vaccines going around since many people still don't want the jab.

It's a curious case and crazy desperation on the Singaporean's part to have a drink in a bar.

Meanwhile there are some people who are so desperate to travel now that a small tour group has flown to Europe with a tour guide. They all did the requisite antibody test and will be in hotel quarantine when they arrive back in Hong Kong.

A small Hong Kong tour group flew to Europe

"It's the first tour package we have had since late February last year when the coronavirus pandemic spread, and borders closed everywhere," said Miramar Travel general manager Alex Lee Chun-ting.

He said the company received more than 30 inquiries over the past few days on arranging private travel plans.

"After being stuck in Hong Kong for more than a year, many avid travellers are itching to get out," Lee said. "But now they're looking for experiences away from city centres, they want to stay in boutique hotels instead of chain hotels, and they also want to be closer to nature."

Tours advertised on the Miramar Travel website are priced from HK$12,000 to HK$23,500 (US$1,545-US$3,035) -- about 30 percent more than usual and visiting Germany, Italy and the UK.

Travelers are interested in being closer to nature

However Dr Leung Chi-chiu, a respiratory medicine specialist, urged Hongkongers to avoid leisure travel as the Delta variant had spread across Europe, Britain the United States and Southeast Asia, warning returnees may bring the mutation into Hong Kong.

"Based on how the Delta variant has spread, we can't determine the countries which adopted a 'live with the virus' approach have been successful at this point," he said.

Indeed.

Vaccinated Night Owls can Party

Vaccinated diners can sit six to a table until midnight

Remember what it was like being in a bar? Or a nightclub, or karaoke lounge?

Finally after over four months, or basically a year of opening and closing, bars are allowed to re-open on April 29 until 2am and only two people per table. Karaoke lounges can have four people.

Night owls and wannabe warblers must be rejoicing! 

Cheung (centre) says government made concessions

However, all staff and customers must have had at least one dose of the vaccine. If staff claim medical reasons, they must fill out a government declaration form explaining why they can't get the jab, and be subjected to regular testing.

Executive councillor and lawmaker Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, who represents the catering sector, said the reopening of bars would be reviewed every two weeks.

"The permanent secretary for food and health told us that if there were a lot of staff from the bar industry who cited medical reasons for failing to take the shots, further restrictions would not be ruled out," he said.

"For patrons who would like to visit bars, they have to get at least one vaccine jab."

He also said as government restrictions ease, the authorities are backing down on its insistence that all bars, restaurants, nightclubs and karaoke lounges must make their customers use the LeaveHomeSafe app. 

Zeman says the new measures are "baby steps"

Cheung said the government originally only wanted bars to open until midnight, but made concessions to allow them to operate until 2am to give bars a chance to survive (belatedly).

It's hard to see how the government can implement "vaccine bubbles" in restaurants, (four to a table until 10pm if not vaccinated and six to a table till midnight if vaccinated) when many are tiny eateries where you can't really social distance at all. 

Nevertheless, one of the happiest people today was Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman upon hearing the latest relaxing of measures. He said the government's "baby step" was a good start for the bar industry.

"The good thing is they listened to the industry and allowed businesses to open until 2am, which is a very important step... The important thing is for everyone to be safe," he said.

More jabs means less LeaveHomeSafe app

Today was also the first day those 16-29 years old could sign up for the BioNTech vaccine. One would have thought those spots would be filled up quickly, but except for the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, there's still many spots available.

Come on Hong Kong! What are you waiting for? The faster we all get jabs, more restrictions will be lifted. Or even better, there would be no need to use the LeaveHomeSafe app.

How about making that our end goal?

Lam Suggests Privileges for Those Vaccinated

Lam announces new measures today for those vaccinated

As of today 578,900 people or 7.7 percent of Hong Kong's 7.8 million residents have gotten the first Covid-19 vaccine, and 255,900 have gotten fully vaccinated, it's still slow going.

Today a mask-less Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor tried to entice the public to get their jabs by suggesting restrictions could be lifted for those who have had at least one jab, and more privileges for those who've had two.

Vaccinated staff and customers enjoy benefits

For example, if a restaurant's staff and customers have all had the first jab, then they could seat six to a table and could possible open to midnight. And if the staff and diners have the second jab, then two weeks later they could seat up to 12 people per table in a "clean zone" and eat until 2am. 

Banquets could have up to 100 people.

She hinted that if people get vaccinated, then places like karaoke lounges, party rooms and bars could reopen.

However, people would also need to use the LeaveHomeSafe app -- no more paper forms. A lot of people are not going to be happy with this measure, as they don't trust the government nor the app in its promises of not storing private information.

"This so-called vaccine bubble is very much based on the individual behaviour or the [behaviour of the] group of individuals, or the venue-based group of individuals," Lam explained. 

Only 7.7 percent of the population is vaccinated

"So if you have been vaccinated and all the staff in the restaurant have been vaccinated, then they can enjoy the relaxed measures in terms of the number of customers per table and the operating hours.

"We do not have to wait until everybody or a certain percentage of Hong Kong people have been vaccinated," Lam said.

However, she seems to have forgotten that people under 30 years of age cannot be part of these "vaccine bubbles" because they are not yet eligible for the jab.

When the media pointed this out to the Chief Executive, her response was: "Even if they can't dine in, they can go to the cinema. I am not limiting those to cinemas needs to receive a vaccination."

HUH?

So people under 30 should go to the movies and not eat in a restaurant?

Fact of the Day: HK$5M in Fines

Hanging out at the beach means a visit from the authorities

The five-day Easter/Qing Ming break is over, and the Hong Kong government has netted HK$5 million (US$643,000) in fines because 980 residents violated social-distancing regulations.

The police gave out the most fines at 959 fixed-penalty notices, while the Leisure and Cultural Services Department issued 14,000 verbal warnings and 21 fines while inspecting its venues.

HK$5 million in fines were issued this holiday

During Easter break, some of the raids included illegal gambling halls, restaurants, unlicensed bars and party rooms, with 48 percent of the fines issued in Kowloon West.

Currently bars, karaoke, and party rooms remain closed, while people can dine four to a table in restaurants until 10pm.

With bars having been forced to close for over 200 days over the past 12 months, some bar operators are holding a hunger strike in a bid to get the government to lift restrictions on their premises. However, the authorities seem unmoved by their action, even though they have a strong argument that restaurants have been allowed to operate in the evenings.

Meanwhile during the holiday, people flocked to beaches and the outlying islands. There were big lines for the ferries to Cheung Chau and Peng Chau, and Sai Kung pier looked packed. People also enjoyed staycations in hotels and dined out in restaurants.

People lining up at Lai Chi Kok for their jab

While today there were seven new coronavirus cases, three of which were local, health experts caution that there may be a spike in cases in the next few days.

The surges and drops in cases seem never ending, and yet Hongkongers are not keen on getting the vaccine, which is frustrating to say the least.

The sooner Hong Kong has at least 70 percent of its residents vaccinated, the sooner restrictions can be lifted and perhaps build a stronger case for the city to take part in travel bubbles with other countries.

But at the rate we're going, it make take till next year...

 

 

Coronavirus Cases Continue to Surge

Carrie Lam with Sophia Chan announcing new restrictions

 

We can thank tai tais for the fourth wave of the coronavirus. There are over 180 cases linked to dance clubs, 21 place spread all over the city. Avid dancers don't just go to one location, and even the dancing companions will also move around the different clubs to dance with middle-aged women.

There are videos going around of these people dancing maskless and in very close proximity to each other which is shocking to see and one wonders why these people are not worried at all.

One dance cluster was at this Wan Chai club

Despite the surge in cases, the government has not ordered these dance clubs to close, and instead is forcing bars, pubs, night clubs, party rooms and saunas to close from Thursday for at least a week.

Meanwhile restaurants, including those in hotels, will be limited to only serving a maximum of 40 customers, as they will only be allowed to have 10 tables, with at most four diners per table. 

The bar industry was infuriated by the latest announcement, as the latest cases did not stem from bars and pubs, and yet it was being punished -- again.

"It's very unfair. We are in a very passive position, because no matter what we do... we have executed all the measures and also followed closely every single regulation, but we are still the one to blame," said Anthea Cheung, director of the Lan Kwai Fong Association.

Bars in Lan Kwai Fong will shut again

"We are getting ready for the promotion of Christmas. Maybe 50 percent of our outlets will close [down] because it's our high season where we get most of our revenue from."

Meanwhile gyms have escaped further restrictions this time around, though it could only be a matter of time before they are closed as well. 

In a bid to help make contact tracing easier, the government has developed the "Leave Home Safe" app, where people can "check-in" at over 10,000 establishments in the city by scanning a QR code when they go in, and then when they leave, they can register that they have left the premises. 

Not only does it track where people have been, but can also alert them if someone else tested positive was in the vicinity at the same time as the user.

People can track where they've been with an app

A reporter found some of the QR codes were easy to find, others were hidden in obscure areas of buildings. While the government says downloading the app and using it is voluntary, it kind of defeats the purpose if not everyone uses it...

However, if things get worse, the government may make using the app mandatory -- just like taking one's temperature before going in, scanning the code may be too.

In the meantime the government should really examine its restrictions and shut down dance clubs for now. 

As most of the patrons are tai tais, they have infected other posh locations, like the two clubhouses at the Happy Valley racetrack, Hong Kong Club, Ladies Recreation Club, and Hong Kong Cricket Club.

So much for staying away from the plebeians -- these tai tais have infected their members-only hangouts and will probably be socially shunned later.

Oh the horror!

More Restrictive Measures to Tame Covid-19

Secretary for Health Chan announcing more measures today

 

The Hong Kong government is still trying to tame the coronavirus pandemic, and fearing the fourth wave coming, it has mandated some new regulations this afternoon.

From midnight tonight, people considered in "high risk" jobs will be forced to undergo Covid-19 tests. These probably include those in the hospitality industry, bus and taxi drivers, and healthcare workers. If they refuse to take the test they could face six months in prison and fines up to HK$25,000.

Mandatory testing for "high risk" groups

Pretty hefty, but the government believes there are still silent carriers out there.

Shockingly there are cases of people visiting friends who are in quarantine. Hello? You can't do that! Why is this happening now after how many months? 

When someone is in quarantine that means they shouldn't see anyone for 14 days! If the quarantined person needs something, then drop it off at the door, no face-to face visits please.

And then there are the parties in hotel rooms. The government is now clamping down to a maximum of four people per hotel room, and all guests must be registered with the hotel. Again why is this happening? 

People seem to think they can be more carefree in hotel rooms. The other reason is hotels are trying to drum up business by creating packages for birthday parties, and some of these events have gotten out of hand, leaving outrageous destruction behind, and now cases of infections. This has to stop in the name of social-distancing.

Restaurants four to a table, 50 percent capacity

Starting Monday restaurants have to go back to tables of four, and bars and pubs with tables of two, open until midnight, whereas it is now it is 2am. Also the capacity of these places, including swimming pools will be cut from 75 percent to 50 percent.

Professor Gabriel Leung, dean of University of Hong Kong's medical school and advisor to the government on the pandemic, said the recent situation is worrying.

"In the recent one to two weeks, we have seen much more imported infections compared to the past. This trend was also similarly seen before the outbreak of the third wave," he said.

He added that analysis of the virus strain in recent patients showed it was linked to earlier imported cases from Nepal, suggesting loopholes in measures regarding arrivals.

Dr Leung says latest virus strain is from Nepal

Leung said the local reproductive number of the coronavirus, a figure showing the amount of people a patient could infect is between one and 1.25 people in the past two weeks.

"It means the risk of an outbreak is very high," he said. "Hopefully those hidden transmissions could be traced and they would not join and cause large outbreaks."

And here I thought most Hongkongers were pretty good in observing social distancing, but I guess not! It's disappointing to find people are not erring on the side of caution -- we need to beat this virus, the sooner the better.

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...

 

 

 

Ominous Warnings on Fourth Wave

More pandemic fatigue will set in with the fourth wave coming

University of Hong Kong infectious disease expert Yuen Kwok-yung is sending ominous warnings that social distancing measures may have to stay in place until September 2021, when mass vaccinations will be available.

"If we don't have targeted measures on the coronavirus, then we could see tens of thousands of people infected," he said during a radio program. "Deaths could easily exceed 1,000."

Yuen said loopholes needed to be plugged, and that bars and restaurants need to take infection-control measures more seriously.

Yuen warns there could be 1,000 deaths in HK

Seven new cases were reported today, including two men at the care home for the disabled, two women related to previous cases, and three imported from the Philippines, the Netherlands and Nepal.

Basing his predictions on overseas experiences, Yuen said places like Europe and the United States had large swathes of infections in the winter, as the virus transmits quickly in cooler temperatures.

He cited New York City as an example, that had more than 10,000 deaths and a 20 percent infection rate in its population at the start of the local epidemic .

"What happened in New York can happen in Hong Kong," he said.

Is this too much scare mongering? For starters practically everyone in Hong Kong is wearing a mask. How can this be compared?

Where are police to break up groups at Pier 10?

Today in parts of Hong Kong island there were several groups of police wandering around. However, at the Central ferry piers, they should have been at piers 9 and 10 where lots of partygoers (many of them non-Chinese) were getting on and off boats for the day. They were not social distancing nor were they all wearing masks.

Or is it because the police officers' English skills are so terrible that they can't tell them to mask up? Or fine them for not social distancing at four to a group?

While there are some bars and restaurants not strictly adhering to regulations of four per table, and spreading them 1.5 metres apart, and having separate staff for cleaning tables and serving guests. This is just not possible in many Hong Kong establishments, where they are too small to hire so many people, or they are trying to cut costs.

But Yuen says, "I think they need to understand that if the epidemic continues, all restaurants will lose customers and may have to close. So why don't they do a better job?"

Barriers at restaurants may not be enough

Ouch. Many restaurants are doing the best they can under the circumstances. They don't want to close, but some restrictions are too much.

As for mandatory testing, Yuen doesn't rule it out, and that it may have to come to that if the number of infections surge to the tens of thousands.

"Of course the most ideal situation is it doesn't have to be mandatory," Yuen said. "But if we need to do it, then it should be those who have shown symptoms."

He said government and private clinics found 46 to 84 patients with symptoms for every 10,000 people, while the universal testing scheme only found 42 cases out of 1.78 million.

In addition, Yuen also suggested people should take pictures of the license plates of vehicles they use, record who they socialized with, where and when to help with faster contact tracing.  

His predictions are going to make people even more fatigued about the coronavirus pandemic. 

This is not what any of us thought 2020 would be like at all!