Hong Kong lockdown: more than 1,700 disciplinary officers to be deployed in unprecedented move on 150 blocks in coronavirus-hit area
- Most drastic measure yet in more than a year of pandemic control is expected to start early on Saturday morning
- Many are questioning efficacy of the lockdown after news was leaked by the media, effectively giving residents a heads-up an entire day in advance
The most drastic measure yet in more than a year of pandemic control was expected to start early on Saturday morning, according to sources who had initially expected the lockdown to begin at midnight on Friday.
Many were already questioning the efficacy of the lockdown after the news was leaked by the media, effectively giving residents a heads-up an entire day in advance.
Hong Kong on Friday confirmed 61 new Covid-19 cases, 55 of which were locally transmitted. Twenty-four local cases came from Yau Tsim Mong, and eight of them were found in a designated mandatory testing zone, which the lockdown area will overlap.
Twenty-six cases were untraceable. More than 50 people also tested preliminary-positive.
Only residents who showed negative Covid-19 test results would be allowed to leave their buildings in the lockdown area, sources familiar with the situation said. None would be allowed out of the area until the restriction was lifted.
Even those who tested negative would be asked to remain at home as much as possible, they added.
Sources earlier clarified that Sham Shui Po district, originally believed to be included in the plan, was not affected.