Opinion | Hope on horizon for Hong Kong as restrictions ease, but we must remain alert
- The easing of social-distancing rules and partial resumption of business activities by the government must not be misinterpreted as a sign for the public to lower its coronavirus guard
The question is how far we should go. Having been criticised for being late and indecisive in its responses to the coronavirus pandemic, the Hong Kong government has opted for a cautious approach in easing the rules in stages, and rightly so.
Wrapping up the city’s 100-day fight against a backdrop saying “Hope on the Horizon”, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor declared infection risks were now lower. But she also urged the public to remain vigilant, adding that restrictions may be reimposed should the situation worsen again.
Her acknowledgement of the government’s “imperfect” responses may come as too late for many who have suffered, but it is an appropriate footnote to the city’s dark chapter in fighting yet another deadly epidemic.