More Restrictions Suggested to Covid-19 Weary Residents

Endless numbers of people waiting to get tested for Covid-19

Hong Kong's number of Covid-19 cases dipped just slightly at 986, with all except one being local infections. The number is not necessarily a true indication of the situation as the city's testing capacity is limited.

However, this evening word came down that Beijing will be sending medical experts to Shenzhen to discuss the best way to battle the fifth wave, which could entail sending thousands of medical personnel and millions of test kits, while also ensuring food supplies, particularly vegetables will come to Hong Kong. 

Beijing will offer medical help to Hong Kong

It makes the city sound like a developing country, completely helpless in its food security and medical capabilities. It's actually quite embarrassing.

There continue to be shocking scenes in Central, Wan Chai, and Tung Chung, the endless numbers of people waiting hours to be tested.

A temporary testing lab at Ma On Shan sports centre will be resurrected to ramp up testing from 100,000 a day to three times that.

Meanwhile experts from the University of Hong Kong are predicting that if the latest social-distancing measures continue, the city could see up to 28,000 cases by next month and 1,000 Covid-19-related deaths.

Professor Gabriel Leung, dean of HKU's faculty of medicine, is even suggesting the city be put under lockdown for two to three months to squash the virus. 

Leung is suggesting a city-wide lockdown

So when this was reported, residents here got into a frenzy worried about the possibility of that happening. 

When Leung was asked to clarify what he meant by lockdown he said: "What lockdown means is that we should implement more stringent measures... It could be achieved through administrative or legislative means... It could also be something voluntary. The most important thing is to curb transmission."

We get that, but how is that possible in a city of 7.5 million people?

He also suggested that residents be given rapid antigen tests and test themselves every other day before leaving their homes, and boost the vaccination rate not only in the elderly but children as well.

In addition Leung said having just one jab of the vaccine wasn't enough.

"Even with two jabs, it's very difficult to stop the spread of infection of Omicron. What it does do, however, is it brings down your bad outcomes and deaths," he said. "It will have a dramatic difference in terms of the number of deaths if you get jabbed early enough before you get infected."

Prolonged isolation will have mental health impact

People are wondering if they need to prepare suitcases for when they need to go into quarantine, or at least some kind of isolation.

If and when Hongkongers get out of the fifth wave, we will all need psychological help us understand what we've all gone through in the past three years.

Taking Election Benefit of Free Rides

Carrie Lam cast her vote this morning to kick off elections

The polling stations closed over an hour ago in the first revamped Legislative Council election and as of 9.30pm there were 29.28 percent of eligible voters who cast their ballots,  the lowest ever turnout for an election since 1997. The lowest was in 2000 at 43.57 percent.

Hmmm we wonder why.

Only some of the dim sum we ordered

There may be table banging in the Liaison Office in Western District tonight, wondering which bright person came up with the idea of giving all Hongkongers free rides on public transport (except ferries and buses going to the airport), as places like Disneyland and Ocean Park were packed with people.

The MTR constantly sent messages to subscribers, telling them taking the subway was free all day and there was no need to use the Octopus card, while buses had passengers use their card to count the number of people (presumably to bill the government later).

My friend and I took advantage of the free fares by going from Wan Chai to Hung Hom to go to Sheung Shui, where we went to get some dim sum (we were too hungry and over ordered).

Lining up for First Class - and we got a seat!

Then we got back on the train -- first class -- to Tai Wai, where we changed trains to go all the way on the newest line to Wu Kai Sha. Then we immediately went across the platform and too the opposite train back all 28 stops to Tuen Mun. 

From there we got out and took the light rail to Tuen Mun City Centre and got on the bus (that was just boarding) to go to Tung Chung and then ended up at City Gate to split a peanut butter and chocolate Cinnabon washed down with lemonade soda before taking the train back home.

The Tung Chung station was packed with people -- staff had tried to slow down the number of people going down to the platform, which was hard to do and they seemed to give up.

Phew! What a ride! By the time we took the train back to Hong Kong island at 5pm it was packed with people.

Rewarded ourselves with a Cinnabon

My whole transit fare would have cost HK$101 (US$13). I thought it would be more, but it was a good six hours well spent (and fed).

What we'd really like to know is how big the bill is for all the free public transit, sending out text messages urging people to vote, all the banners placed all over the city advertising the election, and for all 40,000 polling staff, and 10,000 police.

Was it really worth it?

Three Infections Found in Quarantine Hotel

People being picked up to go to Penny's Bay for quarantine

Some 50 people who are quarantining or just recently checked out of the Four Points by Sheraton in Tung Chung now have to go to Penny's Bay for further quarantine after three infections were recorded on the same hotel floor.

Infectious diseases expert Yuen Kwok-yung visited the hotel today and said a 56-year-old man, who arrived from the UK and stayed in the 15th floor, had used a stationary bicycle for exercise during his quarantine.

Yuen says virus-filled air went into next room

Yuen said the man, who later tested positive for Covid-19, must have exhaled a large amount of virus-laden air, which might have flown into the room next door when his neighbour opened the door to get his meals and apparently did not wear his mask. 

The 62-year-old neighbour, who arrived from Thailand, also tested positive for the virus.

The Centre for Health Protection said some 30 people who are still quarantining on the 15th floor, and another 20 people who stayed on the same floor but had already completed their quarantine have been sent to quarantine centres.

Meanwhile Yuen said he has asked the hotel to retrain staff who are responsible for disinfecting corridors and to provide air purifiers for rooms with stationary bikes or treadmills.

He also reminded people who are in quarantine to wear their mask when opening their room doors.

A typical room in Four Points by Sheraton

What a bummer for people who had just left quarantine and then have to be sent to government quarantine for another two weeks. 

Quarantine hotel safety cannot be compromised -- there are potentially infected people that staff are dealing with. 

Which is why I cannot understand why the government still allows some hotels to operating restaurants and pool passes for non-quarantine guests when there is a high chance of cross infections between the staff.

As a personal rule I do not visit the quarantine hotels that have restaurants open, but many have a false sense of security that because separate entrances are used, then it's fine.

This is a quarantine hotel and has restaurant guests

It's not because we have no idea what is going on behind the scenes in the hotel. Do the staff mingle at some place in the back of the hotel? Or are they completely separated? It would seem not likely given space is usually cramped for staff.

Lots of questions.

Two Charged for Misleading Contact-Tracing Information

The first local mutant virus strain was found in Jordan in April

A 29-year-old engineer who came back to Hong Kong on holiday from working in Dubai has been charged along with his 31-year-old female friend for withholding details or providing misleading information after it was discovered they were carrying a mutant strain of Covid-19 in the community.

They were arrested Saturday morning taken to Yau Ma Tei police station, the man charged with giving misleading information, the woman for refusing to provide more detailed information.

The pair were taken to Yau Ma Tei police station

It was recently discovered there was a link between the couple and three domestic helpers who were also infected with the same strain of the mutated virus.

The man and his girlfriend, who were infected around three weeks ago, met relatives in Chai Wan, and then three people from that gathering met with the three domestic helpers a few days later in Tung Chung.

Under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance, anyone who knowingly gives false or misleading information in such matters -- including whereabouts, medical history and contact with others -- faces a HK$10,000 fine and six months in jail.

It's good the authorities are cracking down on those who have been found to be withholding information, as this is about protecting public health.

How about charges for those dancing tai tais?

But what about those tai tais and their friends who danced nights away mask-less in dance clubs in November? They refused to reveal all the people they came into contact with. Why not prosecute them? They are responsible for the extended fourth wave we all had to go through...

 

 

Tens of Thousands Get Tested, Zero Local Cases

Domestic helpers wait in long lines to get tested this weekend

It's been a very hot and humid weekend and all domestic helpers in Hong Kong have sacrificed their day off these past two days lining up to get a Covid-19 test after the government demanded they do so by May 9.

That's because two domestic helpers, one in Tung Chung was tested positive with a mutant virus and everyone living in the same residential block as her and her employer were forced to take a test and quarantine for 21 days.

There were no local infections reported

While everyone else tested negative, they still have to quarantine.

The other domestic helper was tested positive during hotel quarantine.

As a result, over 370,000 domestic helpers have had to get the mandatory test, and there are pictures of massive lines everywhere of them waiting for hours in the heat.

The move was slammed by Philippine Consul General Raly Tejada, who said the government should not force all the domestic helpers in the city to get vaccinated, or that all non-resident foreign workers should get the jab too.

"If vaccination becomes a provision to work in Hong Kong, then its application should be non-discriminatory and therefore must not only include [foreign domestic workers], but other non-resident workers who are similarly situated so that there is no feeling of being singled out," Tejada said.

Tejada says all foreign workers should be tested

It's a good point, but is the Hong Kong government listening?

So far as of 6pm this evening, 167,000 tests were taken this weekend and none were positive so far.

While it's a relief to know the results so far are negative, they include some 52,000 domestic helpers. Another 54,000 tests were collected today.

When will this all end?! I know the answer, but does everyone else?

Domestic Helpers Singled Out for Tests, Jabs

People lined up to do mandatory testing in Tung Chung today

 

A residential block in Tung Chung on Lantau Island near the airport was placed under lockdown after it was found a domestic helper tested positive for a mutated strain she contracted locally, causing 950 people to be quarantined. 

All of them tested negative except for the helper's employer's daughter who also tested positive.

Law says domestic helpers are a "high-risk group"

This afternoon the government announced that all domestic helpers in Hong Kong must be tested for the virus by May 9, and they must get vaccinated if they want to apply for a work visa from overseas.

The authorities are concerned the mutated strain may have spread in the community, as it is unclear where the helper contracted the virus.

Labour minister Dr Law Chi-kwong described domestic workers as being a "high-risk group".

"They mainly hang out with their friends during their holidays. If they are infected, that can likely lead to cross-family infections," he told a press briefing today.

"In the long run, we need to think about how to get more domestic workers vaccinated. We will impose new requirements when they apply for work visas, including that they must get inoculated with recognized vaccines when they renew their contracts."

Many helpers gather outside on Sundays

Law doesn't seem to appreciate that these helpers work six days a week and only have one day to rest and socialize with their friends. Don't Hongkongers also meet up with their friends? That's how the fourth wave started, with people gathering in dance clubs and having fun.

And the vast majority of helpers spend their day off outside, not inside in shopping malls, restaurants and each other's homes.

So it's no surprise that news of the compulsory testing and vaccinations sparked an uproar among the 370,000 domestic helpers, with a union leader slamming the government for being "discriminatory" and "blackmailing" them into getting the jab.

Eman Villanueva, spokesman for the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body, said he was shocked the government and made such "unfair" and "shameful" decisions regarding helpers.

"The government knows migrant workers are from a vulnerable sector and it is blackmailing us," said Villanueva, a domestic worker.

Residential block in Tung Chung was locked down

"You get vaccinated or you don't get your visa. This is blackmailing. Will the government do this to other people? Will the government do that to pilots and bankers? No. This is ridiculous."

Eni Lestari, chairperson of the International Migrants Alliance echoed the same frustration.

She pointed out when there are outbreaks in gyms or restaurants, the entire population is not tested, but "even one single domestic worker, if there is one who is infected, the whole community is being blamed and sacrificed... so this is very, very unacceptable."

She said mandatory vaccinations for helpers is also unfair treatment.

"The truth is, a lot of employers also do not get vaccinated because of health, personal or even political reasons, and therefore they do not even force their workers to be vaccinated," Lestari said.

"Why are domestic helpers always being targeted, every time there is an outbreak? There is no scientific evidence that migrant domestic workers, when we gather, or when we get together in the community, are actually causing the outbreak."

On Twitter, the Philippine Consulate General has advised all domestic helpers to comply with the mandatory testing order and get vaccinated to renew contracts.

One wonders if there was any kind of discussion between Hong Kong and the consulate before the announcement?

Cathay's Knock-On Effect in Hong Kong

Many flats in Discovery Bay are vacated by Cathay staff

 

The termination of the Cathay Dragon airline last week has already had a knock-on effect in the property market.

Someone I know who lives in Discovery Bay told me today how many of the residents there work for Cathay and they have had their salaries cut by 20 to 40 percent for flight attendants, 40 to 60 percent for pilots, or either one or even both spouses have lost their jobs and they immediately have to find a cheaper flat to live in or leave Hong Kong.

A friend described "tsunami" of empty flats

The result is a lot of people moving out and flats left empty. He described it as a "tsunami". 

A property agent in Discovery Bay says there is an increase in flats renting at HK$65,000 per month available. 

The same thing is happening in Tung Chung too.

In the last three months over 60 renters have given up their flats according to Joe Lee of Midland Realty.

"I've never seen so many people giving up their rented apartments in my career," Lee said. "Local crew members who were let go or had their salaries cut are terminating their leases."

Of those who still have jobs at Cathay have opted to swallow the pay cuts, though the airline unions criticized management for not giving the flight crews and pilots more time to consider the new contract, let alone give them a chance to negotiate for a better deal.

However, at this point having a job is better than none at all, and Cathay has reported the majority of Cathay pilots and flight attendants have opted for permanent pay cuts. 

Chris Beebe warns of Cathay's "bullying"

Chris Beebe, general secretary of the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association, said if the airline's comments were accurate, it would serve "as proof that bullying and intimidation" worked.

"The real [payback] may come in the months and years ahead as pilots remember how they and their families were dealt with harshly and opportunistically when most vulnerable," he warned.

While the pay cuts are severe, the projections for air travel don't look good. The International Air Transport Association projects airline revenues for 2021 to be half that of 2019 due to the global pandemic.

The cuts at Cathay have contributed to Hong Kong's unemployment rate to rise to a nearly 16-year-high of 6.4 percent with tourism taking the biggest hit. 

Simon Lee Siu-po, co-director of the international business and Chinese enterprises program at Chinese University, warned the jobless rate could rise to 7 percent or more by year's end after the wage subsidy ended.

Tung Chung as seen from a plane

"Those who didn't joint the second stage of the [wage subsidy] scheme have already axed staff, such as Cathay Pacific," he said.

"After November when the wage subsidy scheme ends, companies may start to lay off staff. The situation will be more serious in early next year when companies are due to close their accounts for the year end."

Yep 2020 has been a complete wipe out in many ways.

Hearing and reading these sad stories make you appreciate whatever you have... left.

Opening Shop in a Pandemic

Cinnabon's pecan and caramel, chocolate, and peanut butter

 

Today I went to preview a shop opening in City Gate, Tung Chung for Seattle bakery brand Cinnabon. For those who studied in North America, they have warm fuzzy feelings for this product, the gooey frosting covering the cinnamon roll. It's so calorific, but so comforting.

This is the second shop -- the first one opened at Olympian City earlier this year in February just at the start of the pandemic, which was really good for sales because most people were working from home. I heard there were really long lines, but people were patient to get their Cinnabons, with the option of getting at least one fresh out of the oven.

For this second outlet there's a small area for people to sit down and eat, and there's even USB charging stations for people to have a decent coffee break or work a bit at the store. This time around there's some savoury items like panini cheese roll with ham, turkey and pickles, but honestly, people are there for the sweet cinnamon rolls.

Stephen Yang says finding shop space is hard

I asked the owner, Stephen Yang Tsuen-men when he was going to open on Hong Kong island. Olympic City is already a trek, and Tung Chung was even further, but it was a good way to capture the large residential community living there, the close proximity to the airport and those living in the outlying islands like Mui Wo.

Yang said landlords on Hong Kong island were still not lowering their rents. I was flabbergasted to hear this. He seemed to think they were still holding out which seems ridiculous in this climate considering the pandemic is going to be around for another year at least. 

I felt he should open a shop in Wan Chai or Causeway Bay, but he could not find a good space. He said for Causeway Bay there was Hysan (too far upstairs), and Times Square was dead (which is true). World Trade Center would have been good, Yang said, except The Excelsior hotel next door is gone, rendering the area very quiet.

Wan Chai would be good, but again where? So it wasn't that easy, and finding a cooperative landlord is hard too. He believes his product does best in a shopping mall where there is lots of pedestrian traffic.

Yang has to demonstrate to his Citygate landlord that Cinnabon attracted customers to the mall, and come Saturday when it officially opens, it should do the trick, though the location is a bit hard to find, as the mall has many nooks and crannies.

Who can resist trying a Cinnabon or two?

His other big challenge is getting the local market to try Cinnabons. If they have not studied overseas as a student (he says Canadians are the biggest Cinnabon fans here), then they don't know what cinnamon rolls are and assume it's very sweet. When I pointed out that at HK$38 it wasn't a big investment to try, he countered, but having a pineapple bun is much cheaper. While this is comparing apples to oranges, he is probably thinking the way they are.

A big part of his job besides hauling the raw materials of flour, sugar and cinnamon to the two outlets is educating potential customers about the product and the brand. He is enthusiastic and has the energy, but he's wondering if he's banging his head on a brick wall. 

Nevertheless, he hopes with more media exposure and influencers seen trying the product, that will inspire people to try it out. I told him perhaps it will take some time, but he seems anxious for it to take off.

He was also disappointed that the company is also offering "minibons", much smaller cinnabons that would have been perfect for birthday parties and corporate meetings, but large gatherings are not allowed now. 

Cinnabons just rolled up and ready to be baked

Nevertheless I reminded him that right now a lot of restaurants and shops are barely surviving the pandemic and he's opening a second shop. He's doing very well considering the circumstances.

Hopefully he will be able to open on Hong Kong island soon... many people there are customers who are willing to buy Cinnabons, but not trek across the harbour to get them...

Police Brutality Knows No Bounds

A couple begging the police not to hit them anymore in the MTR carriage

This weekend has been too depressing news-wise. I cannot erase the horrific images in my mind of the young couple in the MTR carriage at Prince Edward who were mercilessly beaten by riot police. The couple was cowering in fear and afterwards were clutching each other so hard, in shock at what had just happened to them.

Will the police ever apologize for how they have terrorized them?

Riot police indiscriminately attacked people in MTR stations

And the rest of us for that matter? For that it has made a number of Hongkongers hate the police even more.

How can they just randomly beat people with batons on a wild rampage?

Just as shocking was the police not allowing first aiders to help those who were injured in the various stations. There's a heartbreaking video of a young first aider who is begging the police to allow him in, even saying they can beat him up, that he only wants to treat people.

When his pleas fall on deaf ears he sinks down on the ground and wails. There isn't much anyone can do to comfort him. In another station, three first aiders were forced to stand with their face to the wall and not help anyone. It's shocking and outrageous.

Moments before the police attacked the young couple

As far as I know there are no rallies planned this week, but perhaps someone will organize one to condemn such insane police brutality. July 21 we saw white-shirted men attacking people in Yuen Long MTR station and not a police officer in sight. And now on August 31 scores of riot police on a mission to hit anyone in their way, even slamming a young woman into the wall at Kowloon Bay MTR station.

It seems the MTR is now the new battleground ever since the public transportation network was criticized by Chinese state media for aiding and abetting protesters. This is hardly true. They are providing transportation for everyone.

But now that so much violence has happened in the MTR, will people be terrified to take it?

Tonight after the MTR shut down the line at Tung Chung (because protesters had vandalized it), they were were forced to walk from the airport to Tsing Yi, a four-hour walk, that some journalists had to do as well as they followed them.

Thousands make the long march from the airport to Tsing Yi

Along the way some people with cars handed out food and water to the protesters and some offered rides. At Tsing Yi scores of people with cars came out and gave some of them rides to where they needed to go.

There is one month to go before Xi Jinping's big 70th anniversary bash for the People's Republic of China, but protesters are far from ready to give up their fight...

MTR Commuter Chaos

The MTR was back to running like normal today after two days of delays.

This wide walkway was covered in people all walking the same direction as me

Yesterday I was caught in the rush hour madness going from Causeway Bay to Central then walking over to the Tung Chung line to watch the documentary, Walking on Water about the installation artist Christo.

When I got out at Central station there were hordes of people getting out and upstairs on another platform there were tons of people trying to get on the train to go to Admiralty in order to get to the Kowloon side.

Meanwhile as I walked towards the Tung Chung line, there was a giant mass of people going in the same direction as me. By the time we got to the train platform, the train was already full and I had to wait for the next one and that filled up quickly before going on its way.

Thank goodness things are back to normal today, but Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor warns there will be tough action against the MTR for the accident that occurred in the early hours of Monday morning when two trains collided with each other due to a signalling software fault.

However, it's very easy for the MTR to blame the supplier, French company Thales for the software glitch that they are trying to fix. And what punishment will it be? The MTR can be fined up to HK$25 million, which is typically distributed as a rebate to commuters. Whoohoo, HK$3.60 per person if you count around 7 million people.

While the MTR is far superior to many other public transport systems around the world, it should strive to be even better, not just maintaining its 99 per cent efficiency. The MTR is something Hongkongers are proud of, but when these incidents happen we wonder what is going on. Investigations and reports are all fine and well, but we really need visionary people to lead the MTR forward.

Fact of the Day: 28,000 Cross-border Students

Students going through border control check points before going to school

Did you know there are 28,000 kids who live on the mainland and cross the border everyday to go to school in Hong Kong?

In the 2010-11 school year there were 9,899 of them, and 24,990 2014-15.

Twenty-eight thousand is a staggering number of them, but also illustrates the demand for good education by mainland parents.

Today was the first day of school, and for some of them -- the poor things -- had a four-hour commute.

Four-hour commutes to school are tiring for children

They were up at 6am to take the school bus to the border at Man Kam To by 7am, but it took over an hour to get through immigration. Then to make matters worse, the school bus drive in the Hong Kong side took a longer route to get to Tsuen Wan Trade Association Primary School in Tsing Yi.

Those 20 students didn't arrive to school until 10.15am.

Another 40 students coming from Huanggang border point arrived an hour late, but it was 45 minutes earlier than last year.

The school principal, Chow Kim-ho, says the school admitted 50 primary one cross-border pupils this year, which made up 62 percent of the total intake in this grade. He said it would take about two weeks for the buses to adjust and arrive to school on time.

Up until 2013, North District schools were inundated with an influx of cross-border students and it was that year when the Hong Kong government introduced a separate cross-border school catchment area, where 122 primary schools in eight districts, reserved 3,000 spots for students.

School buses shuttle students to and from border points

Previously cross-border students would compete with local ones for spaces.

But some cross-border children who live closer to the border may have to go further into Hong Kong to go to school in areas like Tsing Yi, Tung Chung or even Wong Tai Sin.

Pity these kids who have such long commutes, and then have to go home, have dinner and do homework and then do it all over again the next day.

Their parents really do think the education system is better in Hong Kong, while ironically local parents would rather their children be educated in international schools if they can afford it.

Guess it's all relative...