Editorial | Hong Kong must learn its lesson and prepare for next virus wave

The relaxation of curbs despite high infection numbers has led many to ask whether a new strategy is being adopted

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Hong Kong International Airport’s departure hall on March 24, 2022. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 7:30am, 26 Mar 2022

Where do we go from here? This is the question as Hong Kong seeks to ease some of the world’s most stringent curbs amid hopes that infections from the fifth wave of the Covid-19 outbreak may be easing. Relaxations have led many to ask whether the city is shifting from the controversial “dynamic zero” strategy to “living with the virus”. Officials have been evasive, but a clear strategy is needed as the government contemplates the way forward.

However, the question cannot be answered without assessing where we are. Despite a fall in cases, thousands of people are still being infected each day. The death toll remains at an uncomfortably high level, and any claims that we can treat Covid like influenza seem clearly irresponsible at this stage.

With Beijing still striving to curb community outbreaks through stringent measures, it would be unusual for Hong Kong to openly abandon the “dynamic zero” approach now. Aspirations to reopen the border with the mainland also mean “living with the virus” is a step that should not be taken lightly. The pledge by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to later resume cross-border and international travel is to be welcomed. Although no date has been set, the city must strive to reconnect with the mainland and the world as soon as possible.

This all comes down to adopting the best Covid strategy. Lam would not be drawn on Singapore’s decision to end most of its Covid measures. She said it was not a fight between living with the virus and adhering to dynamic zero infections. She also shrugged off criticism that the government was dragging its feet over compulsory universal testing, saying she had no crystal ball to foretell the future. But that does not mean the government can just sit back and pray there will not be a more serious outbreak.

Few could have foreseen the devastating impact of the fifth wave. Hong Kong, after all, was once known for being a model city in controlling the pandemic. But we have paid a heavy price for that. The Lam administration has been blinded by complacency. From testing and isolation facilities to vaccination and medical treatment, evidence of indecision and not being prepared abounds.

The chief executive did not refute experts’ claims that it would be just a matter of time before the city faced another serious outbreak. She rightly acknowledged there was much room for review, including the work of the Hospital Authority, data analysis and communication with the public, isolation facilities and antivirus measures.

No one can tell whether there will be a sixth wave. But lessons must be learned and a clear strategy mapped out to shield the city from further crisis.