Editorial | Coronavirus can be beaten if we follow the rules
- Users of country parks and those who exercise outdoors now have to wear masks as Covid-19 infections surge
As the cruel Omicron-fuelled fifth wave rolls on, social-distancing restrictions have been further tightened, and understandably so.
The measures, along with the newly introduced vaccine pass to enter shopping centres, supermarkets and other designated premises, are necessary with Hong Kong logging a record 10,010 confirmed cases yesterday. It is important that measures are followed or more drastic steps may need to be taken.
Since Thursday, people who use country parks and those who pursue outdoor physical activities now have to wear masks. Separately, the number of diners per table at all restaurants is capped at two, down from four.
Such tightening is not surprising given the worrying rise in infections in recent days. However, the latest details were only announced by the government on Wednesday after 8pm. Some people were seen jogging without masks, apparently unaware of the rules change.
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Hong Kong launches vaccine pass, tightens social distancing with 17,000 new Covid-19 cases
The ever-changing isolation and social-distancing rules are no doubt overwhelming, particularly for those not vaccinated against the virus and now banned from so many premises. Some people doubt whether the new measures can effectively curb the spread of Covid-19.