Over 600 Infections Recorded Today

Today's media briefing revealed 614 infections today

When Hong Kong health officials warned the number of Covid-19 cases would be exponential, they were correct. Today the number of infected cases jumped from 342 to 614.

The Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu Chee's solution -- stay home, everyone!

She seems completely unaware that some people must go to work in order to put food on the table. Some of us can work from home, but it is not the most efficient way of working. 

People continue to be tested in various districts

A colleague worried about the possibility of a lockdown, but we reassured him that logistically this would be impossible to execute effectively. The government also does not have enough capacity to test 7.5 million people within a short period of time.

There will be more social-distancing measures announced tomorrow, and people in the restaurant industry wonder if a complete shut down of eateries will be implemented, or only have two diners per table and then have to close by 3pm. A mandatory closure of all restaurants again would be unfeasible, but also with two per table, some places may give up and just close because it isn't even financially viable anymore.

However there is one silver lining. The shock of the over 600 cases motivated many seniors to get jabbed today, 5,790 of them received their first dose. 

Overall some stats today via Joel Chan on Twitter:

72,987 doses administered in one day is an all-time high;

22,731 first doses administered is the most since September 4, 2021.

21,067 second doses is the most since September 25, 2021.

29,189 boosters is the most ever so far.

The vaccination rate for those aged 70-79 is 61 percent.

The vaccination rate for those aged 80 and over is 32.5 percent.

Finally a big jump in seniors getting jabbed today

As it stands the numbers for seniors are still pretty pitiful, but decent jump today.

Will the momentum continue? We can only hope.

There are expectations the number could jump to 1,000 cases tomorrow. Health officials are blaming gatherings during Chinese New Year for the over 600 cases. But they knew families would meet up, right? 

So what contingency plans did they have in place? And knowing it would be over 600 cases today, why not have an emergency meeting Sunday night and announce social-distancing measures today and not tomorrow? Time is of the essence, is it not?

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and her administration have been caught flat-footed and can't run fast enough ahead of this virus.

It is ironic their slogan at press conferences is: "Together, We Race Against this Aggravating Epidemic". Some of us have already run ahead and been triple vaccinated. How about getting the slow pokes jabbed? Or is the government too scared to drag its support base, the elderly, to put needles in their arms?

A socially-distanced dragon and lion dance

Hopefully the government's ineptness has spurred seniors to realise the authorities are not going to save them and that they have to protect themselves and get vaccinated.

Well that's our hope.

No one wants to see a Covid-19 fatality in the next few months. But with the exponential rise of infections, it's very possible.

In the meantime anyone willing to take bets if Lam will wear a mask tomorrow morning while speaking to the media?

Another Record Number of Cases

Large numbers of people being tested in Yuen Long today

Things are not looking good in Hong Kong at the moment with another record 342 infections reported today, yesterday having 351 cases.

Most concerning are 320 untraceable cases (so far), 80 percent of which involve the Omicron variant, said Director of Health Dr Ronald Lam Man-kin at today's press briefing, and warns of a potential super-spreader event.

"We could not track how many generations of transmission were spread," he said. "We could not make an accurate estimation on when the peak would arrive but we are certain that the number has not peaked yet."

Lam is concerned about 320 untraceable cases

Lam said because the Omicron variant is very contagious, 320 untraceable cases meant at least 320 other people had been infected as well...

Health authorities observed that "a lot" of the latest patients had been to Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island and Che Kung Temple on Tuesday and Wednesday, the first two days of the Lunar New Year. Some infected people had also been to Yuen Long Plaza, where 13 employees were among the confirmed cases.

Sogo department store in Causeway Bay also shut on Saturday and Sunday after two employees there tested positive. 

Lam has advised people to avoid shopping malls and for organisers to hold off having events for the time being.

Some banks have temporarily closed some branches, and retailers Ikea and Citistore have shut some outlets for disinfection after preliminary positive cases were found there. 

Sogo in Causeway Bay closed over the weekend

Meanwhile patients who have recovered from Covid-19 in AsiaWorld-Expo near the airport have complained about not being allowed to leave despite being given their discharge notice and having to wait two or three days more.

There are also horror stories of the toilets not being clean with the rubbish bins overflowing with tissues. Also just as bad is no hand soap for three days for people to wash their hands after going to the washroom. 

The government is completely overwhelmed with the logistics of running a health treatment centre, barely keeping the place hygienic which is crucial when a virus can spread so easily.

Is the problem understaffing or underpaying? This is work that should not be undervalued. And we all know the government has money to pay...

Covid-19 Cases Could Jump Exponentially after CNY

There may be a spike in Covid-19 cases after Chinese New Year

The number of Covid-19 cases keep climbing in Hong Kong, with 142 cases recorded today, and 160 preliminary positive.

Most worrying are the untraceable cases with experts stunned as to how to track down their sources. And with the Lunar New Year public holidays coming to a close, in the next few days there could be a possible explosion of cases after people gathered with their families during the most important festival in the calendar.

Chuang (left) urges people not to meet for CNY

"We are worried because we may see hundreds or more cases as the Omicron variant is more transmissible. It poses a huge burden on the health care system," Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, of the Centre for Health Protection said today in the media briefing.

"We also have seen some airborne transmission reported from some family gatherings, and we urge people to stay at home."

In general this is true -- some families have opted not to meet up, while others have had muted gatherings. There are also reports of people receiving fewer laisee or lucky money than in previous years because they are worried about meeting people.

However, respiratory disease specialist Dr Leung Chi-chiu finds the number of untraceable cases worrying and suggests the government should hand out more fast-testing kits in the community, saying the city doesn't have the capacity to do large-scale testing.

But Chuang refuted this, saying the current lockdown of certain buildings was effective enough and that the authorities would continue to identify high-risk areas through confirmed cases and sewage tests.

Jeff Leung first senior official to get Covid-19

Of the new infections recorded today one was identified as Jeff Leung Wing-yan, Deputy Commissioner of Labour (Occupational Safety and Health). He is the first senior government official to be infected with the coronavirus.

In addition, people trying to get their business completed with government departments will have to be more patient, as the work from home arrangement will be extended for all 170,000 civil servants aside from those serving essential and anti-epidemic services until February 11.

As a result a number of government departments will limit services, such as inland revenue, labour, civil engineering and development, information services, building, drainage services, social welfare, and electrical and mechanical services, as well as the Housing Authority, Education Bureau, and Hongkong Post.

In the case of the last one, air mail stopped for many countries anyway, but this just shuts the city down even further.

Tonight the government issued another notice, concerned about Covid-19 spreading in Hong Kong.

Dr Leung suggests more testing kits to people

"The Delta and Omicron mutant strains are spreading in the community at the same time, posing unprecedented threat to Hong Kong," said a government spokesman. 

"The epidemic situation of the fifth wave may be more severe than that of the previous four waves. Members of the public are urged to stay vigilant, wear masks properly and get vaccinated as early as possible in order to greatly reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death when infected. With the concerted co-operation of the public in fighting the epidemic, Hong Kong will surely overcome the current epidemic situation."

Sounds like a hunker down in the bunker kind of message...

Hong Kong to Continue the Same Path

Lau again picked a neutral fortune for Hong Kong today

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the prophecy for Hong Kong is drawn through fortune sticks at Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin.

Early this morning, Heung Yee Kuk chairman Kenneth Lau Ip-keung got on his knees and shook a bamboo container filled with fortune sticks at an angle until one fell out.

It was number 38, considered a neutral fortune. By the way the two previous times he has picked neutral fortune sticks -- perhaps it's time to give the job to someone else? 

Lau got number 45 last year and number 92 in 2020.

Warning for Lam who may run for CE again

In any event the fortune read: "Men up above seek the fruit of truth. I head to the low ground to pick ginger and Chinese mustard.

"An altar may well be a kitchen. Act not as a hero to teach hunting," it added. The omen came with a brief explanation telling the city to "stick to the old ways on everything.

Everything?

If anything the city needs to innovate if it wants to survive...

Lau interpreted the fortune as continuing on the same path in battling the on-going Covid-19 pandemic.

More groans can be heard all over Hong Kong.

"My understanding is that as the pandemic rages on, everyone should keep up their work. One should not expect the city would be able to end it in one go. We step out of difficulties one step at a time."

Meanwhile fortune-teller Chan Tin-yan said the message was also directed at Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who has yet to disclose if she will run again for the top post or not.

Che Kung quashed uprisings and plagues

"It said one should not act like a hero. It was telling the chief executive not to act like a hero," Chan said, adding the prophecy also suggested that any other entrants into the March leadership race should be more experienced than Lam "so that the economic and pandemic situations in Hong Kong will stabilise."

Interesting to note that Che Kung Temple was built over 300 years ago and named after a Song dynasty commander who was known for quashing not only rebellions, but also plagues...

CNY Hike to Cape d'Aguilar

The dramatic landscapes are quite the sight at Cape d'Aguilar

With Chinese New Year basically cancelled because of Covid-19 social-distancing restrictions, it was time to hit the hiking trails. My friend and I went to Cape d'Aguilar, a place we had never been to, which is near Shek O.

After arriving at Shau Kei Wan MTR station, we took the number 9 bus to Cape d'Aguilar which entailed a long and winding road that passes Cape Collinson where the military cemetery is, and also the start of Dragon's Back hiking trail where many people got off.

Different rock formations are in this area

Cape d'Aguilar is "hok tsui" in Cantonese and named after Major-General George Charles d'Aguilar, a British army officer who served as Lieutenant Governor of Hong Kong from 1843-1848.

During that time he lived in Headquarter House, which was built for him in 1846 and is now Flagstaff House in Hong Kong Park. D'Aguilar was also an accomplished watercolour artist.

Meanwhile, the 14th bus stop is Cape d'Aguilar and we headed off down the road with the same name. It's a gentle road with many shacks and low-rise houses. After a while we came to a dramatic view looking over towards Stanley.

Further down we started seeing a secluded beach (though today was too chilly to hang out there) and then we spotted our end goal -- the marine reserve. There are different rock formations, some are smooth, others are jagged, with different colours. 

There's also The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, a building very close to the water, with a slope built to have boats go into the water. The building looks relatively new and we wondered what they were studying there.

The waves constantly crash into the rocks

As we made our way towards the water, it crashed violently against the rocks. Swimming is prohibited here and it's easy to see why. Then we found it -- Crab Cave -- though many people were taking photos there so it was hard to take a nice photo.

It's a natural rock formation that looks like a cave, but again the waves crash in from behind and one could easily get wet if standing too far in.

Then we went to explore other areas that also had good views to avoid getting wet. However, one domestic helper got parts of her legs and feet wet and complained about being cold. The perils of trying to get the perfect picture...

In fact most of the people there were domestic helpers, enjoying their holiday. My friend YTSL who regularly hikes has observed that many domestic helpers like to go hiking in the Shek O area. 

Many people taking pictures at Crab Cave

After we wandered around, we turned back and went back the way we came and had a few minutes to spare before the bus arrived to take us back to Shau Kei Wan -- and it was the same bus driver too!

Home Affairs Secretary Resigns Over Birthday-Gate

Tsui resigned today over attending the January 3 birthday party

The political fallout from the January 3 birthday party of Witman Hung Wai-man has resulted in one senior Hong Kong minister resigning today.

Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui Ying-wai resigned this morning, and in his letter stated he would take responsibility for his actions.

"As one of the principal officials taking the lead in the anti-epidemic fight, I have not set the best example during the recent outbreak," he wrote.

Lam said Tsui behaved in appropriately

"I made the wrong decision to attend a banquet on January 3 and behaved in an inappropriate manner when all efforts should have been devoted to controlling the spread of the virus."

Indeed -- it is his department that enforces all Hong Kong residents to use to the Leave Home Safe app! And days before the party, Tsui's colleagues in the health department had warned Hongkongers not to gather in big groups -- even though the banquet number was well within government guidelines -- it was still not a good idea to be at the event.

Due to contract tracing, when two women were found to be infected with Covid-19, it was uncovered that Tsui and several other officials and lawmakers attended Hung's party, where there were pictures of the birthday boy singing karaoke, and many of them not wearing masks.

While some officials and lawmakers came and went in less than an hour, Tsui was found to have been at the party for two hours -- but worse -- he didn't use the Leave Home Safe app!

Some experts say Hung (left) should resign too

Needless to say Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor was mightily disappointed with him, and said so during a press conference Monday afternoon, the day before the Lunar New Year.

"He didn't wear a mask while chatting with others at the party. What he did was disappointing and violated the code for politically appointed officials," she said.

"Tsui was a member of the government's core team tackling the pandemic. He should have had better awareness than other officials on pandemic controls."

Lam added that politically appointed officials should not do anything to embarrass the government or cause negative perceptions among the public.

However, others who attended the party only got verbal warnings: Allen Fung Ying-lun, political assistant to the development secretary had stayed for four hours and didn't even remember if he wore a mask because he was so inebriated. 

Au seems to have escaped punishment...

Another was Vincent Fung Hao-yin, deputy head of Policy Innovation and Coordination Office, who did not comply with the compulsory testing order on the day it was issued, and was an infection risk when he returned to work the next day before going for a test.

Then there is immigration chief Au Ka-wang who also did not scan the contact-tracing app, but Lam seemed satisfied that he spent 15 minutes outside of the Wan Chai restaurant without entering.

Independent Commission Against Corruption chief Simon Peh Yun-lu also got away with punishment too, and Lam claimed he was there "to have official dealings with a private individual".

Uh huh.

So it seems Lam had it in for Tsui from the beginning. The 44-year-old was a rising star in the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, but it seems someone had to take the fall, and perhaps he was the weakest of the high-profile partying bunch.

... and so has ICAC chief Peh

Some experts say the host of the party, Hung himself should also resign from his position as principal liaison officer for Hong Kong at the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority and a city delegate to the National People's Congress because his reputation has been severely damaged.

Who's next? Stay tuned.

Living with Covid Does Not Violate NSL

77 local cases of Covid-19 were detected, many untraceable

Some top Hong Kong infectious disease experts have been hinting publicly that it is time that Hong Kong live with Covid-19, as "zero-Covid" is not attainable in the long run.

Pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu jumped on this, suggesting that the strategy should be viewed as violating the national security law.

Ho suggested living with Covid violated NSL

When he spoke to the media on Saturday, he explained guarding against the importation of cases and the resurgence of domestic infections is a national-level strategy, and anti-pandemic measures are equal to defence and diplomacy.

Therefore, the strategy of "living with Covid" may "breach national defence and disrupt the order of the society," he continued.

However, the government issued a statement on Sunday clarifying that "general remarks and discussion" on the effectiveness of the official zero-Covid strategy were not illegal.

"Hong Kong must cut the transmission chains as quickly as possible, with an aim of achieving dynamic zero infection, otherwise the consequences could be dire," the statement added.

Chuang warned about gathering for CNY

This is the state of the city now -- where anything could be considered violating the national security law and the government has to issue a statement to deny it.

At least that's one thing that's not related to the national security law, but still...

In the meantime Hong Kong recorded 81 new cases -- first time in double digits in a week -- 77 of which are local. There are 70 preliminary positive cases.

"Although the number of daily cases is declining, the proportion of untraceable cases has increased," said Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Centre for Health Protection's communicable disease branch.

"The transmission chains in the community remain unclear; we do not know what some of the transmission paths were."

Govt says living with Covid not illegal

She also asked that families be careful when gathering for the Lunar New Year festivities, especially around seniors who may not have been vaccinated yet. "If they get infected, there may be complications," Chuang said.

You don't say!

Lam Drops Hotel Quarantine to 14 Days

Lam announces hotel quarantines will be reduced to 14 days

Today Hong Kong recorded a record 164 Covid-19 cases, the most logged in a single day since the pandemic began in January 2020. There is now a new cluster in Wong Tai Sin.

It was not surprising then that Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced that social-distancing measures would continue until February 17, while in-person classes will be suspended until February 21.

One bright spot was that travellers coming back to Hong Kong would only need to do hotel quarantine for two weeks and then one week at home starting from February 5. 

A record number of 164 cases logged today

The decision to shorten the quarantine period came after persistent complaints from travellers and companies paying high quarantine costs for employees.

Currently Hong Kong residents who return to Hong Kong must undergo quarantine for 21 days in designated hotels, while those arriving from countries with serious Covid issues like the United States must first quarantine for four days at Penny's Bay before completing the rest of the quarantine in a hotel.

Finally today a tycoon spoke out about the tough measures the government has implemented in a bid to have a "zero-Covid" goal, saying the restrictions were seriously impacting businesses. 

Ronnie Chan, chairman of Hang Lung Properties has read reports that the Omicron variant is much like the influenza, and should be treated as such.

"It seems Omicron is going in the direction of becoming flu-like. It is possible to consider how the policy needs to progress. There may be a need to study the possibility of a change," he said on Thursday.

Chan said the current zero-Covid policy would make sense if the virus caused a high percentage of deaths. He said an approach based on building herd immunity would be "fine" if the current wave of infections does prove similar to influenza.

Chan calls for easing of social-distancing 

Hang Lung is the first Hong Kong developer to openly call for a change in Covid-19 policy.

Chan said the city is "in a difficult situation". It is "stuck in the middle", between the need for people to cross the border with mainland China freely, and the desire to align with other countries.

"Of course, Hong Kong is a big international city. So we need to align with the world," he said. "The fact that the staff of big companies [have not been] able to return to Hong Kong without [undergoing a quarantine of] three weeks, is extremely difficult to accept in terms of commercial sense."

When will other tycoons start voicing their opinions as well? Surely they are tired of being stuck in their mansions on The Peak and want a chance of scenery like the rest of us?

Seems that Lam did listen to him and shorten the hotel quarantine time, but it is still 21 days for no specific scientific reason, when Omicron can be detected within the first few days.

In any event, the 15 days of Chinese New Year are completely cancelled, and Valentine's Day too.

The Year of the Tiger will not be off to a roaring start... will we have better news after the Winter Olympics are over?

One can only hope.

More Omicron Cases in Triple Digits

Over 100 new cases were uncovered at Kwai Chung estate

Hong Kong is definitely in the midst of its fifth wave with a record 140 new cases, the most number of cases in a single day in 18 months. In addition more than 100 people have tested preliminary positive.

One hundred and twenty-five cases are related to the Kwai Chung housing estate where some 37,000 residents were under lockdown. Two of the five housing blocks, Yat Kwai House and Ying Kwai House have the most serious infections, while of the other three, one had two positive cases, and the other two one each, ending their overnight lockdowns.

Residents heckled Lam, with Lee and Chan

Last night during her press conference, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor warned that the outbreak at the estate was "exponential", but Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee seemed to contradict her. 

"Although the numbers are still increasing, we still have not seen a so-called exponential [rise]," Chan said. "Right now we think our different levels of compulsory testing are effective."

Speaking of Lam, she made a quick visit to the housing estate today with her deputy John Lee Ka-chiu, and housing secretary Frank Chan Fan, but residents there heckled her, some yelling profanities, telling her to "stop putting on a show", while others sarcastically told her not to come as "you will be locked down for five days".

They were angry at meals delivered late and rubbish not being collected because of fears of infections on their floors, but also personal protective equipment lying in a heap that wasn't disposed of either.

Garbage not collected one one floor

Probably wasn't a good day for Lam today.

Meanwhile microbiologist Professor Yuen Kwok-yung warned:

"It's obvious that the fifth wave is escalating... It may take around two to three months to calm down," he told a television program. "We have to see if our existing measures are effective enough and hope there can be relatively fewer infections during the outbreak."

He suggested people can open the windows in their flats to get more air ventilation and wear two layers of masks. My aunt tried to follow that advice and nearly suffocated after five minutes from not being able to breathe...

Yuen added the chances of lifting social-distancing measures by February 4 were very slim.

"You don't need to be an expert to confirm this; everyone can see it's obvious that it is impossible to open up by day four [February 4]. There are already more than 100 cases discovered."

Yuen says wave will take 2-3 months to drop

Interestingly he reiterated that Hong Kong's "zero-Covid" strategy was not sustainable, as it was just meant to buy time for residents to get vaccinated so the city could open up and start living with the virus.

With that stance contrary to Beijing and Hong Kong, we wonder how much longer he will still be advising the government...

Chinese New Year Cultural Appropriation

Don't decorate a CNY dish with funeral paper

Late last night, a former colleague now based in London had a freak out on Twitter when she saw the UK newspaper The Guardian post recipes for the upcoming Lunar New Year, but the accompanying pictures demonstrated no Chinese person was consulted to see if the decorations were culturally appropriate.

One picture shows a plate of pork and crab potstickers -- they should really be boiled dumplings -- on a piece of batik fabric -- not really Chinese -- but worst of all decorated with joss paper that are usually burned to pay respects to ancestors when grave sweeping.

Funeral envelopes mixed with lai see packets...

In addition, the chopsticks look like joss sticks, another not really good thing to do, and what's with the ancient Chinese coins?

Meanwhile BBC Food also posted recipes by School of Wok founder Jeremy Pang. One of them is lo mein with scallops and tenderstem broccoli. While it's fine to have the lai see envelope as a decoration, next to it is another envelope -- given out by the grieving family to funeral attendees, which usually includes a coin, tissue and a piece of candy.

May we also point out the turquoise chopsticks are really ugly?

These ignorant gaffes sparked or rather led to an explosion of complaints from Chinese people about how everyone else is so ignorant of Chinese culture, sometimes even stabbing a dish of noodles with chopsticks that again look like joss sticks.

One person remarked: "I'm absolutely horrified by this. This is like putting up a Christmas tree at a funeral."

Stabbing dish like joss sticks

Others also remarked how whenever Thai or Filipino food is styled, chopsticks are always placed next to the dish, when they typically eat with a fork and spoon.

For me at least, this incident just shows how there is a lack of diversity in these two news organisations, and no one bothered to check to see if these pictures were culturally correct.

The people who created the recipes were Taiwanese and a second-generation British-Chinese. Or if they weren't available, how about some professors in Chinese sociology or culture?

The Guardian has since apologised for the mistake, and BBC Food is looking into its gaffe.

Wonder how the Year of the Tiger will turn out for them...

Chinese New Year is Cancelled

Lam (middle) announcing extended measures tonight

As expected, the Hong Kong government extended social-distancing measures for another two weeks to February 3, thus effectively cancelling celebrations for Chinese New Year, which starts on February 1. 

Not only will restaurants not be able to serve dinner at 6pm, but also the traditional Lunary New Year fair is cancelled too, putting the livelihoods of flower farmers in jeopardy, as well as businesses hoping to sell festive products during the fair.

However, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor claimed despite the updated measures, Hong Kong is still on track to reopen the border with the mainland. 

More people getting a jab to eat dim sum

"The latest assessment is Covid-19 is not yet under control, there's still a risk of a large-scale outbreak," Lam said -- without wearing a mask:
"If there is no major outbreak on February 4, we will restore business operations but they will be subject to vaccination requirements."

Earlier the government had said that for people to enter 15 types of businesses, including bars, gyms, theme parks and beauty parlours, and restaurants serving dinner, people would need to have at least one jab by February 24, but now that has been moved up -- a date officials have yet to announce. 

My friend YTSL got her third jab the other day and chatted with her nurse who reported many people who have come to get vaccinated are only getting their first one because they want to have dim sum with their friends.

If only Lam and Co had instituted this earlier, Hong Kong's vaccination rate would have surged significantly last year. Not much more to say except better late than never...

Some 4,700 have gone into quarantine camps

Since the first detection of the Omicron variant in the city on December 30, 60 people have been infected locally, and 4,700 sent to quarantine camps that can't keep up with the large numbers of people coming in; tests and paper work are not done efficiently, causing many administrative issues. When it is their time to leave, their tests and release papers haven't been processed yet and have to wait another day to be allowed to depart. 

"I need to apologise to the residents who had unpleasant experiences during Covid-19 testing, contact tracing and compulsory quarantine on behalf of the government," Lam said during tonight's press conference.

"I hope they can understand that we have already mobilised a lot of manpower to contain the Omicron outbreak but unfortunately we still cannot keep everyone satisfied."

Wonder if those frustrated with the government will accept her apology...

The Lam administration also promises a fifth round of subsidies worth HK$3.57 billion (US$457.7 million), but affected sectors like catering, gyms and tourism say it's a drop in the bucket when the money is all parcelled out. 

Chinese restaurants lose out on CNY business

For example, bars and restaurants that are around 1,000 sq ft can get HK$50,000 in subsidies, while instructors in special interest classes can get HK$5,000 each. Hardly compensatory. 

On top of that with fewer flights operating, there is the possibility that fresh food will be imported at a premium, and will result in food costing even more. Maybe now people will finally wean themselves off uni, wagyu, truffles and lobster... 

Is Hong Kong Beating Omicron?

Can Hong Kong celebrate Chinese New Year February 1?

One government advisor on the pandemic seems to think Hong Kong could possibly be out of the Omicron wave within two weeks or just after Chinese New Year, if the number of cases remain stable and all of them are traceable.

Yuen of HKU says cases are stable and traceable

Dr Yuen Kwok-yung made this pronouncement today as Hongkongers wonder if they will be able to celebrate the start of the Year of the Tiger with family on February 1.

"If we could identify all the transmission chains and the number of local cases remains stable, this wave of the coronavirus could end before or after Chinese New Year," he told a radio program.

However, his colleague Dr Leung Chi-chiu disagrees.

"It's still too early to say that the epidemic is under control at this stage, [and saying so] will even mislead the public."

Could they please decide amongst themselves what stance they are going to take before announcing it to the public? It's too confusing and disheartening to hear two completely different opinions...

Meanwhile, the government may announce tomorrow if the restrictions will continue or will be even harsher. So far bars, pubs and 14 other types of businesses were forced to close for two weeks, while restaurants can stay open until 6pm, though they can operate as a takeaway business in the evenings.

Hong Kong's airport looks like this these days

In addition to cut down on the number of imported cases, the government has barred air passengers from 150 countries -- 150 -- from coming into Hong Kong, even to transit into the city between January 16 and February 15.

The restrictions means practically every major country is on that list, further isolating Hong Kong, and making it even more trying for people wanting to come in to see loved ones or sort out personal matters.

And people outside of Hong Kong wonder why I haven't traveled in over two years...

Interesting to see Moon Palace, the restaurant in Festival Walk, Kowloon Tong has reopened two weeks after it was the hotbed of Omicron infections. Around 10 diners and their close contacts caught the virus, while 200 other customers and 20 staff were sent to quarantine.

Moon Palace has reopened, but few diners today

As expected not many people ventured into the restaurant to dine in, even though it had been thoroughly disinfected.

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.

First Untraceable Case in Three Months

Lam says people must get at least one jab by February 24

The talk of the town tonight is the first untraceable infection in Tuen Mun -- the first in Hong Kong in three months, and how to bump up vaccination rates.

Health officials warn it could be an Omicron infection and that there could be silent transmission chains in the community.

The 42-year-old man did not visit Moon Palace restaurant in Festival Walk, the mall, or Kowloon Tong, or visit other high-risk places, or have contact with other infected patients.

Untraceable case did not go to Moon Palace

There are now six confirmed infections related to the restaurant, the latest is a 13-year-old who dined at Moon Palace with her mother, who is also infected.

The news of the untraceable infection came hours after Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor told the media it was fortunate there were no untraceable cases in the community. 

She also announced the deadline for having one jab to be able to eat in restaurants, go to cinemas, gyms and other leisure and entertainment venues would be February 24 -- long after Chinese New Year -- to give businesses time to prepare.

Sounds like a political decision, as there was a proposal for people to at least get the first jab by January 20, just before the Year of the Tiger.

But now with Omicron probably in the community, there is an urgency to get more people vaccinated, especially those who haven't even gotten their jabs yet.

However, will they? Discussion around the dinner table tonight was that elderly people, though they like dim sum, are not going to get vaccinated, particularly if they are quite elderly and worry about the side effects.

Booster shots administered at Sai Wan Ho

Though the other argument is that Hong Kong needs to live with the virus, so vaccination is key to getting more protection, old or young.

It's interesting that those booking their third booster shot can only go to Sai Wan Ho on Hong Kong island, whereas before it was available in numerous locations. That explains the long lines at the Eastern district location, and some people waiting up to an hour to get their jab.

But what about those who have yet to get the shot? How many people are finally going to bite the bullet so they can eat out, watch a movie, go to the gym, or sing karaoke?

Only 63.26 percent of the population are fully vaccinated. This is utterly deplorable.

And now with Omicron probably in the community, the number of local infections could rise significantly.

Maybe that will finally scare people into getting the jab? Who knows...