Hong Kong coronavirus fourth wave: sudden lockdowns leave some residents trapped in shops, hair salons overnight
- In one operation, a 10-year-old girl getting a haircut was separated from her mother who had left to buy food
- Health experts divided on the wisdom of the strategy, with one saying residents should avoid leaving their homes late at night
In one recent operation, a 10-year-old girl was in a hair salon getting a trim when her mother left to buy food when the order was issued. Eventually, authorities allowed the daughter to reunite with the parent after taking down the girl’s personal details.
The strategy of closing off areas, often overnight, while residents are tested one by one has been criticised by some health experts. While one suggested an overhaul of the approach, another warned residents should not leave home late at night.
Authorities locked down 17 blocks in Sham Shui Po on Tuesday night but after screening residents, they failed to uncover any cases. One photo from the operation that went viral showed a customer of a hair salon at 263B Ki Lung Street lining up to be tested with his hair still wrapped with plastic, the dye job only halfway done. The owner, a man surnamed Chan in his 30s, said the customer was “angry” over the sudden lockdown.
“He managed to go home and wash his hair in the end. He will come back and resume his hair cut after work later,” Chan said.