Hong Kong’s recent daily single-digit record of local confirmed cases, down to zero on September 15, must come as a relief to the public. Yet, repeated warnings from health experts about a severe fourth wave should prompt the government to take strict preventive measures well in advance.
The third wave has taught us an unforgettable lesson. From the hasty relaxation of social-distancing measures to the loopholes in testing new arrivals, these small individual mistakes have been deadly, causing dozens of Covid-19 deaths and thousands of infections.
Society should be well prepared to prevent a possibly much more painful ordeal in the next wave. The government should maintain a certain amount of social-distancing measures to prevent massive outbreaks. It should also maintain close interaction with the mainland authorities to conduct regular testing among vulnerable groups and high-risk sectors to identify silent carriers as early as possible.
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Compulsory testing and self-quarantine measures should apply to all arrivals in Hong Kong, including pilots and sailors. Countermeasures, such as travel bubbles to prevent cross-border transmissions, should also be taken promptly.
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Hong Kong’s Covid-19 mass testing ends with at least 42 carriers found among 1.78 million people
Hong Kong’s Covid-19 mass testing ends with at least 42 carriers found among 1.78 million people
Though the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival is a precious opportunity for family reunions, it is also a reminder that autumn has arrived and the coronavirus could be waiting to launch a fourth attack on the city. The timing of attack could cause us more damage as the dry and cool season would favour the transmission of the virus.
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While the social distancing measures may affect the restaurant and other service sectors, such restrictions could prevent more losses to all sectors. If a month of restriction could prevent months of outbreak and even more months of restriction, businesspeople should realise which option is preferable.
