Editorial | Follow the Hong Kong rules until it is safe to relax them
- The return of warnings via the city’s risk-exposure app makes sense until a road map out of the virus crisis is finally agreed
As daily Covid-19 infections continue to decline, one may think the city’s ongoing fifth wave will simply fade away. But if previous battles are any reference, victory may only follow from the vigorous enforcement of social-distancing and health-control regulations.
That is why various measures are being tightened or revived so the pandemic may further stabilise and enable the relaxation of restrictions in the coming months as planned.
The return of notification warnings via the risk-exposure app “Leave Home Safe” is in line with that strategy. Starting from this week, users will be alerted again when they have been to high-risk premises.
Compulsory test notices will also be issued once more, according to health minister Sophia Chan Siu-chee.
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The arrangements were suspended earlier because the exponential surge in infections made testing and alerts impractical. Now that the situation has somewhat eased, the revival of notification alerts and testing makes sense.
But concerns remain as to whether authorities will proactively ensure people comply with those requirements.