Opinion | Hong Kong Sevens must be a proper comeback party, or we should wait
- During the Sars epidemic, the government organised a series of events to announce to the world that Hong Kong was open for business
- The current proposal to hold the city’s flagship rugby event in closed-loop mode due to Covid-19 sends the wrong message
Tourists stayed away and Hongkongers steered clear of crowded places such as bars and restaurants. The second-quarter economic figures were a disaster.
The government of the day took active measures to soften the blow for individuals and businesses. The objective was to help them survive the hard times and be ready to participate in the recovery once the public health situation improved.
In parallel, the administration began to plan to “relaunch” the economy. It set aside HK$1 billion to pay for, or heavily subsidise, a programme of activities designed to persuade potential visitors and local residents that Hong Kong was safe to visit and live life normally.
03:47
The lasting effects of SARS in Hong Kong
The programme, which I spearheaded, was put together with the help of representatives from the community including the business sector. It comprised sporting events – a football match between Hong Kong’s football team and Liverpool featuring Michael Owen, and another against Real Madrid with star player David Beckham – and a series of concerts by top names like the Rolling Stones, Santana, Westlife, and Jose Carreras.