LettersHong Kong fourth wave Covid: ever harsher curbs aren’t cutting it

Name: Coronavirus: Hong Kong extends hotel quarantine for overseas arrivals to 21 days
Uploaded: 2020-12-30T23:30:15.000Z
Duration: 3 min 2 s
Description: Coronavirus: Hong Kong extends hotel quarantine for overseas arrivals to 21 days

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People wearing protective masks and Santa hats walk past a closed restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui on December 24. The restrictions on restaurant service as the city struggles to contain the spread of Covid-19 has hit the food and beverage sector hard at what is usually a profitable time of the year. Photo: Bloomberg

Letters

Published: 7:30am, 31 Dec 2020Updated: 12:23pm, 31 Dec 2020

As Hong Kong approaches one year of battling the coronavirus pandemic, one of the most agonising public complaints have been about the 14-day quarantine for arrivals, which has now been extended to 21 days. What makes 21 days of isolation unimpeachable?

Moreover, if a traveller is confirmed Covid-negative upon arrival, why can’t they self-quarantine at home? Being locked up in a hotel room for three weeks could well prompt physical and psychological issues.

Hence, while trying to contain the coronavirus, other sicknesses may emerge due to the quarantine measures. The Hong Kong government could consider promoting, marketing and placing a greater emphasis on the ageless remedy of sunshine (Vitamin D) to strengthen one’s immune system.

Other solutions could be deep breathing exercises, traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, the traditional Indian alternative medicine system. While not watertight, some of these wellness practices have stood the test of time.

On the economy, requiring restaurants to shut at 6pm could displace many mom-and-pop eateries. Again, what makes 6pm sacrosanct? Why not 10pm? Additionally, and given these challenging times, the price for a Covid-19 test in the private sector seems relatively high, and should be subsidised.

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Coronavirus: Hong Kong extends hotel quarantine for overseas arrivals to 21 days

Of course, this is easier said than done and, granted, the health and safety of citizens take precedence over the economy – but what Hong Kong needs is an enhanced plan that balances preventive means and the economic pummelling. Some out-of-the-box initiatives should be considered.