Hong Kong to take more measures to curb spread of COVID-19

The situation in Hong Kong is becoming critical as many people are expected to return to Hong Kong from foreign countries and regions hard hit by the COVID-19 and more measures will be taken to curb the spread of the disease, Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said Saturday. Speaking at a press conference, Lam said the HKSAR government will strengthen its epidemic-prevention measures as Hong Kong is likely to see more community transmissions of the virus in coming weeks than in any period in the past two months.

Apart from postponing Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams and pushing back university entrance exams, the HKSAR government will again shut some government-run outdoor playgrounds, indoor gymnasia, four museums, seven libraries, some wetland parks, among others, in a bid to reduce social contacts.

Lam appealed to some private organizations to allow their staff to work from home, and Hong Kong residents to keep social distancing.

As for those who are under quarantine at home, Lam said the government will strengthen inspection, warning contravening the quarantine requirement would be a criminal offense subject to a fine and imprisonment for six months.

"Up to now, we had monitored four people who broke home quarantine, and they would be prosecuted," Lam said, vowing zero tolerance.

In order to prevent the disease from spreading here, arrivals from overseas with no COVID-19 symptoms would be tested and provided with a specimen container to collect their specimens for virus testing.

The government has also increased face masks provided for the disabled and elders at care homes to two million per month, Lam said.

Also at the press conference, HKSAR government's Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Patrick Nip said the HKSAR government will send its second batch of charted flights to Hubei province to bring back its residents there.