Opinion | Hong Kong third wave: bravery and innovation will guide the city through the Covid-19 storm

Name: Coronavirus: Hong Kong to limit public gatherings to two people and ban dining at restaurants
Uploaded: 2020-08-02T01:15:05.000Z
Duration: 2 min 4 s
Description: Coronavirus: Hong Kong to limit public gatherings to two people and ban dining at restaurants

It is easy to feel anxious about the state of the world as people know their lives are being tossed around by forces beyond their control

In fighting Covid-19, Hong Kong can point to distinguished examples of ingenuity, among them our public health experts’ cutting-edge research that contributes to the global effort

Reading Time:3 minutes

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Residents receive Covid-19 testing kits at the Tsz Ching Estate in Tsz Wan Shan on July 28. It is easy to understand why people might feel anxious these days amid lingering concerns over the pandemic and Hong Kong’s precarious position in the US-China rivalry. Photo: Felix Wong

Christine Loh

Published: 9:15am, 2 Aug 2020Updated: 9:30am, 2 Aug 2020

Is there a silver lining? It’s hard not to feel down. The third wave of the coronavirus has caused another cycle of restrictions in our daily activities. The ongoing US-China conflict is making things worse.

Covid-19 and geopolitical tensions are major stress inducers. People know their lives are being tossed around by forces beyond their control.

We are angry because we can’t have our lives back. The Hong Kong authorities overlooked the risks of exempting seafarers and aircrews from quarantine rules, and this has contributed to the current wave of infections.

While there aren’t many flights nowadays, Hong Kong remains a busy seaport. It is understandable that Hong Kong wants to allow ships to change crews. The mistake was not having thought through minimising the risks when crew members are in the city.

02:04

Coronavirus: Hong Kong to limit public gatherings to two people and ban dining at restaurants

As Covid-19 infections remain high in many parts of the world, crew members who come from overseas represent a risk for Hong Kong. Thankfully, the authorities are now plugging the loopholes. Going forward, transport and health officials need to work together if Hong Kong is going to continue providing much-needed relief to the maritime sector.

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