Hong Kong lockdown: anger and confusion over looming Covid-19 restrictions, but to some, move is ‘better than nothing’
- Some residents feel a partial lockdown will fail to control the outbreak in the city, as the virus may also spread in other areas
- But many others feel strict restrictions are necessary to halt a sudden surge in infections amid fourth wave
The plan to impose a lockdown on parts of Hong Kong’s coronavirus-hit Yau Tsim Mong district from Saturday morning has caught residents unprepared, with some supporting the move and others doubting its effectiveness.
While there was no sign of people stocking up on food and supplies till about early afternoon on Friday, residents and workers in the area said they were not sure to what extent the lockdown would curtail their movements as there had not been any official announcement yet.
Chan Wing-tai, 63, who lives in a building on Woosung Street, was angry at the sudden news and said the lockdown would only cause more panic.
“Hong Kong is not like mainland China, where tough lockdown measures can be easily carried out,” he said.
Chan said the measure would have a huge impact on both residents and businesses, and the government should have given people time to prepare for it physically and mentally. Instead of closing off the whole area, he suggested authorities lock down affected buildings one by one to minimise the impact on people’s lives.