Coronavirus exposes cultural divide in Hong Kong as some expats shun masks and shrug off social distancing
- Spike of Covid-19 cases fuelled by Hongkongers returning from abroad leads to criticism of expat response to crisis
- Blame game borders on racism others insist, as district councillor says wearing masks is also about respecting community norms
Hongkongers fleeing the deepening coronavirus crisis abroad have fuelled a surge in domestic cases, as well as increasing resentment towards city expats accused of complacency during the health crisis.
As recently as two weeks ago and with Covid-19 sweeping across Europe, the city seemed to be turning the tide against its deadly advance.
But the jump in Hong Kong cases in part from international arrivals has exposed a blame culture in a city shaken by a predicted onslaught of new infections.
A father of two, who gave his name as WO, said his 18-year-old son had been invited to a “quarantine party” in Hong Kong for when he returned to the city this week from Canada, while other gatherings continued to be organised despite official pleas to practise social distancing.
Alarmed by the cavalier attitude to the pandemic among his friends in Hong Kong’s expatriate community, WO said: “We’re still seeing people socialising, and with young adults or university students they have more time. They are still hanging out, there are still parties going on.
“Just because your home is very spacious, it does not mean you can invite your friends to gather there.”