South China Morning Post
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A crowd of commuters in face masks at Hong Kong MTR station. Photo: May Tse
Opinion
Editorial
by SCMP Editorial
Editorial
by SCMP Editorial

Make best use of the breathing space before third wave hits

  • Hong Kong should use this time to maximise defences against new coronavirus infections as lockdowns are lifted elsewhere
SCMP Editorial
SCMP Editorial
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While Hong Kong is fighting a second wave of new coronavirus infections, a third wave cannot be ruled out, according to experts. This time the city is forewarned. But it also has to contend with more unknowns and worrying new findings about the virus. The government needs to continuously review all existing countermeasures to enhance preparedness.

The initial surge of imported cases and local contagion has been followed by infections among Hongkongers returning from overseas. Ironically, concerns about a third wave arise from a hopeful turn of events as governments in centres of contagion end lockdowns and other curbs on social and economic life in the absence of new infections, paving the way for the resumption of normal business.

This is not without risks as the authorities strive to strike a balance between unleashing stalled economic activity and safeguarding public health. The world is watching as the central Chinese economic hub of Wuhan lifts an unprecedented lockdown including travel restrictions. Controls have already been lifted elsewhere, but Wuhan remains wary of a new outbreak, especially among asymptomatic carriers.

University of Hong Kong epidemiologist Yuen Kwok-yung has warned of a possible third wave of infection as the mainland goes back to work and more people might travel to Hong Kong, on top of the remaining daily international flights. It has to be remembered, though, that they would face 14 days’ quarantine, which would tend to discourage non-essential travel.

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As Yuen rightly says, the threat remains hypothetical at this stage. But the world has learned that it is never too soon to implement pre-emptive counter measures. In this respect, Hong Kong has extended its ban on all foreign arrivals. Calls are mounting for closures of social venues to be extended, for face masks to be made mandatory and even for all non-essential businesses to close and for lockdowns as adopted overseas.

But many local experts have, instead, intensified their focus on the need for more testing. There is an emerging consensus that ever more extensive testing is the most effective method of prevention, given that the percentage of asymptomatic patients is so high. It will require a lot of resources but the cost that might represent a saving compared with hospital treatment.

The case for more testing is strengthened by research that turns up new findings, such as that the virus survives for days on some surfaces including face masks, and that recovered people are becoming reinfected and unknowingly contagious because they are asymptomatic. Safeguards being applied now may give the city breathing space ahead of a potential third wave. But it should use the time to maximise defences against new infections, and minimise exceptions and dispensations.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Make best use of the breathing space before third wave hits
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