Coronavirus: Hong Kong reports slight uptick in number of incoming domestic helpers, welfare minister says, as city records 266 Covid cases
- Welfare minister Law Chi-kwong says 4,005 and 2,188 domestic workers have arrived from Philippines and Indonesia, respectively, since city eased travel curbs
- Boost in number of domestic helpers important as more Hongkongers go back to work with coronavirus outbreak receding
More domestic workers arrived in Hong Kong over the past month, helping to ease a shortfall of helpers, the welfare chief revealed on Sunday, but he warned additional ones would be needed to ensure economic recovery was not jeopardised.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong attributed the increase to the government’s decision last month to lift a flight ban on nine countries, including the Philippines, and relax the number of infected passengers required to trigger the city’s flight suspension mechanism.
“This can ensure the shortage of foreign domestic workers will not become an obstacle for Hong Kong’s economic recovery,” he said in his official blog.
The announcement came as health officials reported 266 coronavirus infections, of which 25 were imported, and two more deaths. The city’s overall tally now stands at 1,206,585 cases and 9,346 related fatalities.
Meanwhile, Law said the number of domestic helpers working in Hong Kong increased to about 332,000 at the end of April, after reaching its lowest point, 328,000, in late March.