Coronavirus: Hong Kong may have to impose strict lockdown with people told to stay home, government adviser says, amid warnings of third wave of infections
- Bernard Chan puts Hong Kong on notice for hardline approach to coronavirus seen in countries including Italy and Britain
- Epidemiologist Yuen Kwok-yung warns of a possible third wave of infections as mainland Chinese resume work and may travel to Hong Kong
Hong Kong may have to impose a lockdown for several weeks that closes all non-essential businesses and largely confines people to their homes, a senior government adviser has said as a top epidemiologist warned of a “third wave” of coronavirus infections.
The threat of stricter curbs came as the mother of a six-week-old boy, previously testing positive, was among 28 new cases on Sunday taking the city’s total to 890.
The baby was confirmed as Hong Kong’s youngest Covid-19 patient on Wednesday, after he was held by a family friend, also a coronavirus patient, who had visited a bar with a history of infections.
Leading infectious diseases expert Yuen Kwok-yung warned on Sunday of a possible third wave of transmission in the city as mainlanders are gradually resuming work and might travel to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has since late March banned public gatherings of more than four people, while cinemas, fitness centres, bars, pubs and other leisure venues have been ordered to close for two weeks. Restaurants also have to keep tables 1.5 metres apart.