Hong Kong ‘will not give in a single inch’ to requests by business chambers, consulates to ease Covid rules, Lam says, citing state officials’ visit and transition of power
- Chief executive also says health authorities will announce new measures by public hospitals to deal with rising trend in coronavirus infections
- She makes clear that current social-distancing rules will be maintained until the end of her term on June 30
Hong Kong’s outgoing leader has said she will not “give in a single inch” to requests by international business chambers and consulates to ease the city’s tough pandemic measures, citing an expected visit by top state figures and the need to avoid confusion in light of the coming transition of power for the local administration.
At a press briefing on Tuesday before the final regular meeting of her de facto cabinet, the Executive Council, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor also noted the recent rise in the number of Covid-19 infections from about 200 to more than 800. Lam said the health minister and other officials would soon announce plans by public hospitals to address the situation.
Asked how she would ensure favourable conditions for an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping for the inauguration ceremony of the new administration on July 1, Lam revealed she had turned down requests by international chambers of commerce and consulates to further relax pandemic restrictions.
“Even though there are many voices and substantive demands, including those from business groups, especially the international ones and financial institutions, asking the SAR government to relax our measures guarding against imported cases, so that people coming from overseas would not need to be quarantined in hotels or undergo more tests, we refused to give in a single inch,” she said.
“I also personally explained to these groups that we need to be very cautious during this period of time.”
Lam also made clear that current social-distancing measures would not be relaxed before the end of her term on June 30.
“There’re only two more weeks to go. If I were to relax quarantine rules tomorrow, but then in two weeks’ time, the new government decides that perhaps this needs to be reverted to a more tightened approach, that would create a lot of confusion and uncertainty for a lot of people,” she said, referring to the new administration to be helmed by former chief secretary John Lee Ka-chiu, who will be sworn in on July 1.