Coronavirus: no public transport shutdown for mass testing, but movement could be ‘limited’, with 1 member per household allowed out for essentials
- Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan says transport network vital, although services may be cut down
- Source reveals Beijing has not indicated ‘hard and fast’ rules on exercise
Public transport in Hong Kong will not shut down during a coming mass Covid-19 screening, according to a minister, with sources revealing there have been no “hard and fast” rules from Beijing on how and when the exercise, including a potential lockdown, should be carried out.
Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan also said on Monday that the government would consider allowing one person from each family to go out at a designated time to buy daily necessities during the universal screening exercise.
A source familiar with the situation added the government was still considering whether the drive should occur in late March or April.
“Both options are open, but late March is still the more likely starting period,” the source said.
Chan told a radio programme that public transport was crucial for Hongkongers who needed access to medical and financial services, as well as for employees in essential operations to commute to work.