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Letters

Why are beaches, with their fresh air and sunshine, remaining closed while indoor gymnasiums were allowed to open – with the devastating results we are now experiencing? 
The opening up of beaches and other outdoor venues is necessary, particularly with the advent of warmer weather. Besides, beach crowds can be controlled with the setting of guidelines for spacing and groups limited to four people.
And how about proper spacing requirements too, in queues at the cashier in grocery stores and other shops?
Meanwhile, English Schools Foundation, Hong Kong’s biggest international school group, has taken positive action in requiring their staff to be tested regularly. Perhaps other educational institutions can do the same.


Hong Kong has done well in the Covid-19 pandemic relative to other cities but a comprehensive policy is needed, rather than ad hoc guidelines and measures.
Beatrice Li, Repulse Bay
May be painful but safer to close gyms and fitness centres
There are fears of a fifth wave of Covid-19 in Hong Kong, as the infection cluster related to the fitness centre in Sai Ying Pun has expanded to well over 100 cases. That raises the question of whether all gyms and fitness centres in the city should be closed.
Fitness centres can pose Covid-19 risks, given the shared equipment and facilities, and as personal trainers may visit many different gym rooms to instruct patrons. This situation is similar to the source of outbreak of the fourth wave. That cluster, centred on dance clubs across the city, quickly grew to more than 700 cases.




This time, the government acted promptly, with quarantines for gym patrons, ambush-style lockdowns, and more mobile specimen collection stations in  Central and Western District to identify silent carriers.
Some gym operators have said they have been doing their best to maintain hygiene standards and prevent an outbreak on the premises. But much hinges on the patrons themselves, whether they have the self-discipline to wear masks while exercising and to disinfect the equipment before they use it. It is not justifiable for gyms to bear the full consequences.
Many sectors are suffering due to the pandemic. While it is understandable that trainers and fitness centres wish to continue to operate, closing them for now will help to stop the spread of the virus until herd immunity is reached. To prevent a repeat of the fourth wave and to cut the chain of transmission, more stringent measures should be taken if more cases emerge.
Jack Chung, Sham Shui Po










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Coronavirus Hong Kong

Beaches closed, gyms open: can’t Hong Kong get it right on Covid policy?

Potential buyers line up for newly launched flats at the project’s sales office in Tsim Sha Tsui on February 27. Photo: Edmond So

Coronavirus in Hong Kong: blocking access to beaches has a dangerous side effect

A swimmer comes out of the water as a lifeguard looks on at a beach in Clear Water Bay on July 25. Hong Kong has closed beaches as part of its coronavirus containment measures. Photo: Dickson Lee

No clear reason Hong Kong’s beaches should remain closed

People play basketball at a public court in Quarry Bay on October 2, as gathering limits were relaxed for team sports at non-fee-charging outdoor leisure venues. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Coronavirus: fear and anxiety grip Hong Kong finance, legal professionals after gym outbreak balloons

Hong Kong health authorities set up a mobile testing station in Central on Friday. Photo: Felix Wong

Dr. Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of communicable disease branch of center for health protection of department of health, briefs the media on the outbreak of Coronavirus. 13MAR20 SCMP/ Warton Li

Ursus Fitness in Pok Fu Lam was closed after 10 confirmed Covid-19 cases were tied to the gym. 11MAR21 SCMP / Edmond So

Letters | Beaches closed, gyms open: can’t Hong Kong get it right on Covid policy?

City deserves better than inconsistent, ad hoc guidelines and measures

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Beaches closed, gyms open: can’t Hong Kong get it right on Covid policy?

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} City deserves better than inconsistent, ad hoc guidelines and measures

Letters | Beaches closed, gyms open: can’t Hong Kong get it right on Covid policy?

City deserves better than inconsistent, ad hoc guidelines and measures