Actress Nicole Kidman films a scene from the Amazon Prime series Expats in a market in Hong Kong on August 23. Photo: AFP

Letters | Nicole Kidman’s quarantine exemption: Hong Kong has more to gain than lose

Readers react to the city’s quarantine policy, including the brouhaha over the actress’ quarantine waiver, warn of a market crash to come, and question Citibank’s eligibility criteria for one of its products

Published: 7:05am, 4 Sep, 2021

Actress Nicole Kidman’s quarantine exemption has again raised discussion of “the haves and the have-nots”, which somewhat clouded objectivity in judging the specific situation.

While this episode won’t harm the actress’ reputation – including with her fan base, which is sure to remain as loyal – the same cannot be said for the government that bore the brunt of the frustrations of Hongkongers despite seeking to act in their interest.

Though filming taking a couple of months could have entailed some planning to allow for the quarantine period of the cast, Kidman is a blockbuster star – any screening featuring the actress has a much better chance of succeeding than others with a lesser known cast.

With a less star-studded cast, Crazy Rich Asians got many people dreaming of the high life in Singapore, or at least wanting to know more about the city state (not even aware that many of the scenes were actually shot in Malaysia, from where, by the way, some of the main cast share ancestry).

Granted the plot of the Expats series that Kidman is starring in portrays the life of those with means, highlighting the wide wealth gap which is one of the main issues in Hong Kong at the moment, but isn’t this a good way to also shed some light on the subject and potentially strengthen calls to address it?

Moreover, the plot does have a positive side – showing a thriving and exciting city, a much needed representation of Hong Kong after the devastating media coverage in recent years.

Also, it shows how Hong Kong is not only welcoming to different cultures but also weaves them into the fabric of society, furthering the city’s international outlook.

Many of us haven’t gone overseas as we cannot or do not want to go through quarantine upon return, but we should recognise differences in contribution and purpose. After all, Hong Kong thrives on its business acumen – while the actress gets this free pass under some restrictions imposed based on a stringent risk assessment, the city stands to gain a worldwide boost to its image.

The only (and abysmal) faux pas was purportedly going shopping, but can we fully blame a government that was likely also caught sort of off-guard?

Jose Alvares, Macau

Quarantine policy lacks both science and common sense

I’ve been waking up recently wondering, “Why am I here?”.

No, I’m not having an existential crisis. The reason for my question is that having done 14 days of hotel quarantine, I am still here despite having five recent negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests: one just before leaving the United Kingdom, one at the airport when I arrived in Hong Kong, and three while I’ve been incarcerated.

What possible risk can I be to anyone other than myself? Yet, I still have a week to go.

I have had plenty of time to research my predicament and I find no evidence-based scientific research to back up why 21 days of quarantine is necessary when I am fully vaccinated and have received nothing but negative PRC tests.

I also query why quarantine comes in blocks of seven days. Does the Covid-19 virus have a weekly schedule that none of us are aware of? There may be a reason for Hong Kong’s quarantine policy but as far as I can see, it is based neither on science nor on common sense.

Sarah Rigby, Lantau

Central banks can’t hold off the crash to come

As everybody talks about tapering in the financial world, nobody realises that we are at risk of another collapse. Central banks are so cautiously doing their job that one can never expect there to be another financial crisis.

Markets are just living in the belief that assets of all sorts will keep appreciating with no risks ahead. I hope the younger generation of investors realise that in reality we are only witnessing central bank infusions and once things get out of hand, these will suddenly drop. At that point, everything that looks like treasure will end up as trash.

So be very careful and always take profits in all asset classes – from real estate to stocks and bonds. Because some day, someone holding the bag will experience market failure as central banks cannot indefinitely do things right.

Rishi Teckchandani, Mid-Levels

Account opening rule smacks of discrimination

It would appear that Citibank now views customers over the age of 64 as being incapable of managing their financial affairs since its website says one must be “between 18 and 64 years old” to be able to open a Citi Plus account.

What possible excuse will Citibank proffer to explain their blatant discrimination directed towards Hong Kong’s seniors. I am waiting …

Bryan Carter, Pok Fu Lam