Editorial | Hong Kong needs an effective testing strategy, whatever it takes
- As the city reels under a third wave of Covid-19 infections, the arrival of mainland medical experts signals cooperation that could bring contagion under control
A month ago Hong Kong was sitting on a 17-day stretch without new local Covid-19 infections and looking least like a place that needed help to fight the pandemic.
Now, thanks to risky exemptions from quarantine compounded by a relaxation of social-distancing rules, the city has been reeling under the third and most serious wave of infections. This has prompted Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to seek help with testing and temporary hospital accommodation from the mainland.
In a week of extraordinary events, such as a delay to elections and candidate disqualifications, this one still stands out.
Amid cross-border political tensions, Lam’s move came as a surprise. Even by invitation, the involvement of scores of mainland medical staff on the ground sets a precedent under “one country, two systems”.
Experts from mainland China arrive to help Hong Kong fight the city’s worst wave of coronavirus
With hindsight, it will warrant reflection. Now that it has been done, every effort must be made to achieve the goal of bringing the third wave under control.
