Opinion | How Hong Kong can roll back Covid-19 restrictions to save the economy
- A phased lifting of restrictions will signal a much-needed mindset change, one that recognises that Covid-19 is here to stay and that we must shift to living with it
- The rollback should start with masks, the most visible symbol of restrictions, before tackling the size of public gatherings allowed and the testing regime
In the 11th century, the story goes, King Canute of England, Denmark and Norway took his courtiers to the beach to show them the tide could not be stopped from coming in. The lesson is that the inevitable will happen and the best any leader can do is manage the consequences.
That lesson applies directly to the Covid-19 situation in Hong Kong. We know the latest variants are extremely contagious and cannot be stopped from spreading in the community. We also know they are much less virulent, and vaccines provide a very high level of protection.
Chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu has identified the competition for talent as a major priority to maintain Hong Kong’s competitiveness. But how can we expect to secure new talent if we can’t retain the professionals we have? These things we see.
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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee holds first legislative council session as leader
But also every week there are the things we don’t see: the decision by an overseas company not to set up here, or to hold a meeting, conference or exhibition somewhere else. A posting to Hong Kong has become a punishment, not an incentive. The cruise industry has, for the most part, dropped us from its schedules for the next three years, and a major technology gathering has cancelled its 2023 event.