https://www.scmp.com/rss/501775/feed Kathleen joined the Post as a reporter in 2019 and covers Hong Kong's economy, tourism and retail. Previously, she was an intern at Asian Private Banker. She graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a degree in politics and journalism. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Nearly half of Hong Kong residents surveyed amid the city’s worst wave of Covid-19 infections showed “moderate to severe” signs of anxiety, while the number of people seeking mental health counselling tripled in the first quarter compared with the same period last year. The results were from a report involving 3,749 participants aged over 18, polled by Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service and Education University (EdU). The survey was aimed at assessing the mental wellness of residents during the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3175343/hong-kongs-mental-health-crisis-nearly-half-residents-suffer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3175343/hong-kongs-mental-health-crisis-nearly-half-residents-suffer?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Apr 2022 07:04:00 +0000 Families looking forward to reunions and business travellers eager to network are already planning trips to Hong Kong as the city prepares to welcome back foreigners next month, with the tourism industry watchdog calling for further easing of quarantine arrangements for arriving residents. Health experts on Saturday said the expected influx of visitors after two years of travel curbs posed “little risk” of sparking a resurgence of Covid-19 infections but warned new variants could enter into the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3175280/coronavirus-allowing-foreigners-back-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3175280/coronavirus-allowing-foreigners-back-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Apr 2022 06:25:38 +0000 Hong Kong’s tough social-distancing rules in the first quarter of the year pushed the unemployment rate to 5 per cent in the three months ending in March, the highest in nine months. The jobless rate was up 0.5 percentage points in the rolling period from January to March, compared with 4.5 per cent in the period from December to February, according to provisional figures the Census and Statistics Department released on Thursday. The unemployment figure was 5.4 per cent in the April to June... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3175046/hong-kongs-jobless-rate-rises-9-month-high-5-cent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3175046/hong-kongs-jobless-rate-rises-9-month-high-5-cent?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Apr 2022 09:30:23 +0000 Hong Kong eased some of its toughest social-distancing measures on Thursday, triggering a “revenge-spending” spree by leisure-starved residents who flooded the streets, flocked to shopping centres, swarmed amusement parks and entertainment venues, and booked out restaurants, which opened for nighttime dining for the first time in more than three months. Health authorities reported a daily Covid-19 infection total well below 700 again, reflecting the improving situation that has prompted... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3174970/coronavirus-hong-kong-spas-gyms-cinemas-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3174970/coronavirus-hong-kong-spas-gyms-cinemas-and?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Apr 2022 01:07:09 +0000 The Philippine envoy to Hong Kong has called a local television drama “totally disgusting” for featuring a Chinese actress who darkened her skin to portray a domestic helper, as TVB said it will amend the content before uploading it online. Consul General Raly Tejada criticised the free-to-air television station one day after the broadcaster said it never intended to disrespect or to discriminate against any nationality and praised the actress’ “professional” performing techniques in response to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3174327/philippine-consul-general-brands-hong-kong-television-drama?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3174327/philippine-consul-general-brands-hong-kong-television-drama?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Apr 2022 14:58:35 +0000 Hongkongers have vowed to go on a spending spree from April 21 when social-distancing measures against Covid-19 will be relaxed for the first time in more than three months, with businesses already making preparations to lure back customers. Residents were set to splash out after Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced on Thursday that the city’s strict social-distancing curbs would be relaxed for many venues after the Easter holidays. Businesses such as gyms, beauty massage... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3174320/revenge-spending-hongkongers-prepare-shopping?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3174320/revenge-spending-hongkongers-prepare-shopping?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Apr 2022 13:43:45 +0000 Businesses and customers will still be subject to tough vaccination and testing rules for Covid-19 when Hong Kong starts easing social-distancing curbs from April 21, including an extension of dine-in hours for restaurants and the reopening of premises such as gyms, sports venues and cinemas. Announcing long-awaited details of the first stage of a phased reopening plan with a review to be conducted after the Easter holidays, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Thursday noted the risk... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3174315/coronavirus-hong-kong-tough-vaccination-and-testing-rules-businesses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3174315/coronavirus-hong-kong-tough-vaccination-and-testing-rules-businesses?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Apr 2022 13:03:47 +0000 This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Key points: From April 21, restaurants can operate dine-in services until 10pm with four people per table. Bars will remain closed Catering staff must be vaccinated and undergo rapid antigen tests every three days Gyms, beauty massage parlours, cinemas, game centres, theme parks and places of worship to reopen. Limited to four people per group.... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3174188/coronavirus-hong-kongs-easing-social-distancing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3174188/coronavirus-hong-kongs-easing-social-distancing?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Apr 2022 02:09:49 +0000 A television show featuring a Canadian-born Chinese actress who darkened her skin to portray a Filipino domestic helper has sparked heated criticism of Hong Kong’s depiction of minorities in mainstream entertainment. Actress Franchesca Wong plays the character of domestic helper “Louisa” in a TVB series titled Barrack O’Karma 1968. The episode, which aired on Tuesday, centred on a local couple who hired Louisa as a helper but found her behaviour “spooky” and suspected her of using voodoo. Wong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3174168/hong-kong-tv-dramas-use-brown-face-depict-filipino-domestic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3174168/hong-kong-tv-dramas-use-brown-face-depict-filipino-domestic?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Apr 2022 13:46:11 +0000 Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has called for restrictions on the levels of formamide found in children’s play mats, warning that the substance can be harmful to them. The Consumer Council examined 20 foam play mats available on the market, and found six of them contained formamide levels exceeding European Union standards. One of the mats had nine times more formamide than the 200mg/kg safe limit set by the European Chemicals Agency. Dr Lui Wing-cheong, vice-chairman of the Consumer Council’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3174149/hong-kong-consumer-watchdog-urges-restrictions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3174149/hong-kong-consumer-watchdog-urges-restrictions?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Apr 2022 11:41:56 +0000 Prices in supermarkets rose 4.2 per cent from January to March, coinciding with a rash of panic buying fuelled by fears of a lockdown as Hong Kong’s fifth wave of coronavirus infections gathered steam, according to the city’s consumer watchdog. The Consumer Council used its “Online Price Watch” tool to collect and track the cost of 90 grocery items in 11 categories at three local supermarkets – Aeon, ParknShop and Marketplace by Jasons. All 11 product groups tracked by the watchdog recorded an... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3174113/coronavirus-42-cent-rise-food-prices-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3174113/coronavirus-42-cent-rise-food-prices-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Apr 2022 07:46:11 +0000 A voluntary mass testing exercise over three days uncovered fewer than 1,000 Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong but officials declined to be drawn into declaring the drive a success beyond suggesting the figures aligned with similar studies conducted. The estimated 800 infections detected among people who had joined the testing scheme were part of the total tally of 3,128 confirmed over the past three days. Health officials declined to comment if the number of reported cases was indicative of a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3173986/coronavirus-3128-people-tested-positive-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3173986/coronavirus-3128-people-tested-positive-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Apr 2022 08:43:01 +0000 A global recall of the popular Kinder chocolate egg product has escalated, with one more item in the line widely sold in Hong Kong pulled from shelves after possible links to salmonella contamination reports in Europe. The Centre for Food Safety urged the public late on Friday night not to consume the Belgium-made Surprise Milk Chocolate Egg with Toy (3 x 20g) with a best-before date of October 24, imported by City'super. This is the second product recall in under three days following the recall... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3173675/kinder-global-recall-pull-chocolate-eggs-product?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3173675/kinder-global-recall-pull-chocolate-eggs-product?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Apr 2022 05:29:12 +0000 The number of Covid-19 infections discovered through rapid testing increased on the first day of a mass voluntary screening exercise in Hong Kong, but overall infection numbers continue to decline and social-distancing curbs should be eased soon, officials have said. Health authorities confirmed 2,535 infections on Saturday, of which 1,638 were logged via rapid antigen tests (RAT) on Friday, nearly 30 per cent more than the 1,265 recorded on the preceding day. The remaining 897 infections were... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3173670/coronavirus-head-hong-kong-government-committee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3173670/coronavirus-head-hong-kong-government-committee?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Apr 2022 02:36:42 +0000 Hong Kong authorities have recalled a chocolate product from confectionery brand Kinder with Easter just a week away, over a link to bacteria salmonella cases first reported in Britain. The Centre for Food Safety urged the public not to consume Kinder’s Egg Hunt Kit (150g) from Belgium as the product, which is imported by City Super Limited, might be contaminated with salmonella. Authorities found that one item on an expanded recall list of Kinder products from the Food Standards Agency of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3173437/hong-kong-recalls-popular-kinder-chocolate-product-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3173437/hong-kong-recalls-popular-kinder-chocolate-product-after?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Apr 2022 09:25:47 +0000 Hong Kong residents who test positive during a mass voluntary Covid-19 screening exercise this week can isolate themselves at home rather than in a government facility, provided their living spaces are suitable, health officials have said. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor also said rapid antigen tests (RAT) might be a prerequisite for some premises and activities in the future when social-distancing measures were relaxed, and the mass screening exercise would help residents learn how... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3173211/coronavirus-hong-kong-residents-who-test-positive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3173211/coronavirus-hong-kong-residents-who-test-positive?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Apr 2022 04:19:51 +0000 Religious groups in Hong Kong have marked the Ching Ming Festival by releasing videos mourning those who lost their lives amid the coronavirus pandemic, as the city’s leader expressed sorrow over the deaths. In a statement released on Tuesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said it was “saddening” that more than 8,000 residents, over 90 per cent of whom were 65 or older, had died during the fifth wave of infections. Lam extended her “deepest condolences” to the families and friends... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3173138/6-religious-groups-mark-ching-ming-festival-releasing-videos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3173138/6-religious-groups-mark-ching-ming-festival-releasing-videos?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Apr 2022 09:25:35 +0000 Hong Kong authorities are still receiving thousands of emails every day from residents who missed a previous deadline to log their Covid-19 infection uncovered using rapid antigen tests, officials have said, revealing the extent of the city’s fifth wave. Health officials reported 3,254 cases on Tuesday, a slight increase from the 3,138 infections logged a day earlier, and 87 Covid-related deaths. The overall tally of infections stood at 1,177,814, with 8,349 deaths. The daily figures included... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3173115/coronavirus-cameras-be-installed-monitor-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3173115/coronavirus-cameras-be-installed-monitor-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Apr 2022 06:37:32 +0000 Hong Kong’s leader has urged all residents across the city to screen themselves for Covid-19 using rapid test kits for three days in a row next week to help authorities identify hidden infections in the community and better assess the true extent of the pandemic. However, medical experts remained sceptical about the scientific value of the voluntary mass exercise, given that it would rely on a quick-testing method with lower sensitivity and the sincerity of people to report their infections,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3172851/coronavirus-test-yourselves-3-days-row-next-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3172851/coronavirus-test-yourselves-3-days-row-next-week?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Apr 2022 03:48:57 +0000 As thousands of foreign domestic helpers from the Philippines were allowed into Hong Kong from Friday when the city lifted its flight ban, employment agents said they hoped to clear a backlog of stranded workers in the coming two months. Philippine consul-general Raly Tejada told the Post that the resumption of flights was long-awaited and hoped that all airlines, Filipino travellers and employment agencies would follow the city authorities’ requirements. “We have worked so hard for this and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3172782/coronavirus-hong-kong-employment-agents-expect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3172782/coronavirus-hong-kong-employment-agents-expect?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Apr 2022 22:00:28 +0000 Thousands of residents started travelling back to Hong Kong and holidaymakers raced to book flights to faraway destinations on Friday after authorities eased some of the city’s tough Covid-19 travel curbs, while health officials recorded 5,823 new infections. From Friday, the compulsory quarantine period for those arriving in Hong Kong was halved to seven days. The government also lifted a flight ban imposed on January 8 on Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3172643/hong-kong-residents-plan-first-holiday-trips-2?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3172643/hong-kong-residents-plan-first-holiday-trips-2?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Apr 2022 00:00:39 +0000 Hong Kong residents may be asked to take part in mass at-home Covid-19 testing via kits set to be distributed from Saturday to help the government better gauge the current epidemic situation, the city’s leader has said. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor floated the possibility at her regular coronavirus press conference on Thursday after being asked whether the government still planned to pursue a controversial compulsory universal testing drive. “Since we are distributing rapid antigen... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3172549/coronavirus-hong-kong-government-considering-mass?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3172549/coronavirus-hong-kong-government-considering-mass?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Mar 2022 07:06:38 +0000 Hundreds of residents braved the rain on Saturday to queue up for hours outside various Swatch stores in Hong Kong hoping to be among the first to get their hands on newly launched Bioceramic MoonSwatch watches, with some looking to resell them at a higher price. Long queues and large crowds were seen outside three Swatch outlets each in Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui since early on Saturday, after the firm announced it would sell the unlimited MoonSwatch collection at HK$2,100... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3171981/over-moon-hongkongers-swept-moonswatch-mania-hundreds-queue-get?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3171981/over-moon-hongkongers-swept-moonswatch-mania-hundreds-queue-get?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Mar 2022 12:27:50 +0000 Hong Kong’s electoral office has apologised after an employee failed to follow guidelines and sent the personal details of about 15,000 voters to a random email address. The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) on Friday said the staff member intended to send files containing electors’ particulars to her personal email address on March 23. An investigation found she typed in an incorrect email address and sent the data to the unknown recipient. “The REO has immediately notified the recipient... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3171919/hong-kong-electoral-office-apologies-after-employee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3171919/hong-kong-electoral-office-apologies-after-employee?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Mar 2022 13:56:39 +0000 Hong Kong teachers who have recovered from the coronavirus could supervise special exam centres for students deemed close contacts of Covid-19 patients, a government source has said. But the city’s education minister said plans were still being discussed for students who tested positive using a rapid antigen test (RAT) kit on the morning of their exam day. According to the insider, health authorities are considering dividing candidates for the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams who have... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3171732/coronavirus-hong-kong-health-authorities-suggest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3171732/coronavirus-hong-kong-health-authorities-suggest?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Mar 2022 11:00:23 +0000 Searches on a leading travel booking site surged nearly three times on the back of news that Hong Kong will lift a coronavirus-related flight ban on nine countries next month, according to the online service provider. Expedia said that in the 48 hours since the city on Monday revealed it would scrap the flight ban, searches on its Hong Kong website jumped 285 per cent, compared with the average data of the preceding seven days. About 25 per cent of the searches came from Britain, 15 per cent... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3171605/coronavirus-online-searches-soar-after-hong-kong-says-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3171605/coronavirus-online-searches-soar-after-hong-kong-says-it?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Mar 2022 23:00:32 +0000 Some residents staying abroad hurried to book flights to return to Hong Kong after the city leader revealed a plan to ease quarantine rules and lift flight bans on nine countries, but others said they would not change their travel arrangements over fears of “fast-changing” government policies. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced on Monday that quarantine for fully vaccinated residents would be cut in half from 14 to seven days at a designated hotel if the traveller tested... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3171308/coronavirus-hong-kong-residents-stuck-abroad-rush?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3171308/coronavirus-hong-kong-residents-stuck-abroad-rush?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Mar 2022 13:28:39 +0000 Nearly 10,000 Covid-19 patients have received oral antivirals since they were introduced in Hong Kong two weeks ago as a way to reduce deaths and cases with severe symptoms, according to health authorities. Hospital Authority Chief Manager Dr Lau Ka-hin said public health facilities had administered MSD’s molnupiravir to 8,500 patients so far. About 1,000 others had received Pfizer’s Paxlovid since it was made locally available last Wednesday. Addressing concerns that the current guidelines... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3171122/coronavirus-nearly-10000-hongkongers-treated-oral?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3171122/coronavirus-nearly-10000-hongkongers-treated-oral?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Mar 2022 13:08:06 +0000 Thousands of Hong Kong hotel rooms secured as community isolation facilities for Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms have mostly been left unused, with the city’s leader vowing to redesignate the space for other purposes. The government in February secured more than 23,000 isolation units across 18 hotels and eight makeshift facilities for people who test positive for the coronavirus but do not have suitable accommodation for home isolation. The Security Bureau, tasked to procure the isolation... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3171109/coronavirus-why-thousands-rooms-hong-kongs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3171109/coronavirus-why-thousands-rooms-hong-kongs?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Mar 2022 09:43:39 +0000 Hong Kong’s iconic, 134-year-old Peak Tram is set to make a summer comeback following an eight-month closure for a final phase of renovations, with recently completed test runs on new carriages. The sixth-generation tramcars, sporting deep green exteriors, were seen climbing their tracks in the past week, after their burgundy predecessors were retired nearly nine months ago. Passers-by and residents along the tram line were generally upbeat about the service’s return, with capacity boosted by 75... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3171050/hong-kong-peak-tram-track-summer-comeback-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3171050/hong-kong-peak-tram-track-summer-comeback-after?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Mar 2022 07:00:27 +0000 Hong Kong’s unemployment rate for the three months ending in February rose to 4.5 per cent – the highest in nearly five months – as the city’s toughest social-distancing measures took a toll on the catering and retail sectors. The rate was marginally up 0.6 percentage points in the rolling period of December to February from 3.9 per cent in November to January, according to provisional figures from the Census and Statistics Department on Thursday. The figure was the highest jobless rate since... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3170824/hong-kong-jobless-rate-rises-five-month-high-45?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3170824/hong-kong-jobless-rate-rises-five-month-high-45?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Mar 2022 09:25:18 +0000 Hong Kong’s fifth Covid-19 wave peaked in early March, the city’s leader officially confirmed on Wednesday while urging the public to remain vigilant, and estimating that about 3,000 medical personnel would be needed to fully operate two major coronavirus treatment centres. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor raised the need for more manpower as she welcomed about 300 mainland Chinese medical workers into the city to provide support, the second group to arrive since the first batch of 75... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3170624/coronavirus-hong-kong-city-leader-carrie-lam-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3170624/coronavirus-hong-kong-city-leader-carrie-lam-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Mar 2022 03:25:04 +0000 Hong Kong reported a record 198 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday, although the recent downtrend in cases remained in place, with officials confirming about 27,600 new infections. City leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor cautioned against premature optimism that infection numbers had peaked, adding that she “could not comfortably say” that was the case. Nor was she willing to commit to a time frame on when the government expected to get the raging fifth wave of infections under control. She... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3170247/hong-kong-continues-downward-daily-infection?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3170247/hong-kong-continues-downward-daily-infection?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Mar 2022 09:21:31 +0000 Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to spend as much as it takes and fully mobilise the civil service to overcome the city’s raging fifth wave of coronavirus infections, a day after a top mainland Chinese official urged the government to step up its efforts. For the first time since providing daily press briefings on the fast-changing Covid-19 situation, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor also offered her “deep condolences” to those who had lost loved ones, just hours before health officials... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3170231/coronavirus-hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-reveals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3170231/coronavirus-hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-reveals?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Mar 2022 03:42:30 +0000 Beijing has escalated its response to Hong Kong’s worsening Covid-19 crisis by bringing another vice-premier, Sun Chunlan, into the anti-epidemic efforts, the Post has learned, with the outbreak now spilling into mainland China. With Hong Kong in the grip of a growing Omicron-fuelled crisis, health experts estimate about 15 per cent of the city’s population may already have been infected with Covid-19. The number of newly confirmed cases fell to 37,529 on Saturday, the first time since Tuesday... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3169361/coronavirus-15-cent-hongkongers-could-be-infected?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3169361/coronavirus-15-cent-hongkongers-could-be-infected?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Mar 2022 04:52:43 +0000 Hong Kong’s retail sales rose 4.1 per cent year on year in January with the government having warned the figure was not a reflection of the current impact of strict social-distancing measures during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Retail sales in January were valued at HK$33.9 billion (US$4.33 billion), a 4.1 per cent year on year increase, according to provisional figures released by the Census and Statistics Department on Friday. Online transactions accounted for 9 per cent of the total... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3169264/hong-kong-retail-sales-rise-41-cent-annually?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3169264/hong-kong-retail-sales-rise-41-cent-annually?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Mar 2022 12:55:36 +0000 Hong Kong companies have been wrestling with a brain drain amid a recent wave of emigration, with nearly two-fifths of firms polled by the city’s largest business chamber saying they have experienced an adverse effect on their operations. According to a survey released by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) on Friday, 38 per cent of respondents, comprising representatives from large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises, ranked the latest departures as having had a... https://www.scmp.com/coronavirus/economic-impact/article/3169224/nearly-two-fifths-hong-kong-companies-report-adverse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/coronavirus/economic-impact/article/3169224/nearly-two-fifths-hong-kong-companies-report-adverse?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Mar 2022 06:54:46 +0000 Refugees in Hong Kong have been unable to buy daily necessities with their food subsidy cards after rumours of a citywide lockdown spurred a wave of buying panic that swept goods off shelves and pushed up prices. Refugee Union chairwoman Adella Namagembe said food prices had already climbed significantly over the past two years during the pandemic, while the recent panic buying had left refugees with nothing. “It was not a good feeling at all, we feel stuck,” she said on Thursday. Refugees and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3169165/hong-kong-refugees-struggle-buy-supplies-panic-buying-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3169165/hong-kong-refugees-struggle-buy-supplies-panic-buying-over?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Mar 2022 02:00:26 +0000 Hotel employees in Hong Kong have been offered a salary boost to join front-of-house operations at venues being used to quarantine coronavirus patients, while more than 200 travel sector workers have applied for positions at government-run isolation facilities. In response to the surge in Covid-19 cases, local authorities have secured 20,000 hotel rooms to act as quarantine units and hired at least 1,000 retired officers from the disciplined services to manage sites under the community isolation... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3169155/coronavirus-hong-kong-hotel-employees-offered?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3169155/coronavirus-hong-kong-hotel-employees-offered?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Mar 2022 23:00:32 +0000 Hong Kong slipped to 77th place on a liveability ranking as a combination of ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and reduced press freedom made the city a less attractive destination for expats to relocate, according to a report. The findings by research data firm ECA International, published on Tuesday, ranked Hong Kong 77th out of more than 490 cities around the world, down 19 places from last year. The city’s worst score was in 2019 when it placed 93rd as a result of instability from the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3168820/hong-kong-slips-77th-liveability-ranking-covid-19?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3168820/hong-kong-slips-77th-liveability-ranking-covid-19?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Mar 2022 10:01:10 +0000 Volunteers from an NGO helping domestic workers in Hong Kong were shocked to find a 28-year-old Filipina alone, cold and ill with Covid-19 in a parked car. Josie* had been self-isolating in her employer’s car for 30 hours when she was found on Monday evening. It took volunteers from HELP for Domestic Workers a day to persuade her to move to a shelter, as she was afraid her employer would terminate her contract. “A domestic worker is required to have suitable and safe accommodation and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3168520/hong-kong-helpers-covid-19-agony-ill-woman-found?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3168520/hong-kong-helpers-covid-19-agony-ill-woman-found?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Feb 2022 00:00:21 +0000 Hong Kong has shortened the time Covid-19 patients must spend in hospital and reduced the length of isolation for infected residents in a bid to cope with an exponential growth of infections, as health authorities reported more than 17,000 cases and over 65 deaths. According to Post calculations, more than 60,000 people are waiting to be admitted to either an isolation or health care facility, and the logistics of transporting them are proving an immense challenge. Some residents had been forced... https://www.scmp.com/coronavirus/article/3168513/hong-kong-housing-minister-says-3000-isolation-units-ready-go-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/coronavirus/article/3168513/hong-kong-housing-minister-says-3000-isolation-units-ready-go-city?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Feb 2022 07:32:39 +0000 Hong Kong authorities have turned to mainland China to gather large amounts of necessary Covid-19 supplies, a minister has said, while donations from the private sector have poured in amid an escalating fifth wave of coronavirus infections. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah, who heads a government task force overseeing medical supplies, said on Friday that local authorities had sent a list of resources to the central government, including personal protective... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3168456/coronavirus-hong-kong-turns-mainland-china-private?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3168456/coronavirus-hong-kong-turns-mainland-china-private?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Feb 2022 13:04:20 +0000 Hong Kong’s finance chief has sought to play down concerns about the decision to distribute handouts to residents in the form of digital consumption vouchers after being taken to task in some quarters for not offering cash instead. The voucher scheme, a repeat of a similar initiative last year aimed at boosting consumer spending, was the most eye-catching announcement in Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po’s 2022-23 budget, which was unveiled on Wednesday. Under the scheme, 6.6 million eligible... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3168198/hong-kong-finance-chief-brushes-concerns-over-consumption?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3168198/hong-kong-finance-chief-brushes-concerns-over-consumption?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Feb 2022 06:34:08 +0000 Hong Kong’s struggling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have received a lifeline in the form of rental relief for up to six months and guaranteed loans of up to HK$9 million (US$1.15 million). A government source said the unprecedented rental relief measure would not undermine the rights of private property owners, although an analyst said it gave small business owners more bargaining power in the midst of the city’s raging fifth wave of Covid-19 infections. SMEs will also be entitled... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3168123/cant-pay-rent-hong-kongs-stricken-smes-get-respite?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3168123/cant-pay-rent-hong-kongs-stricken-smes-get-respite?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Feb 2022 13:10:09 +0000 Hong Kong businesses expressed anger over the government’s decision to extend stringent social-distancing measures until April, instead of the usual two weeks, in a bid to contain surging Covid-19 infections, warning the move will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Business chambers warned on Tuesday that the curbs, along with a lengthened ban on flights from nine countries, would not only deal a blow to the city’s reputation as a global financial centre, but also trigger a wave of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3168010/coronavirus-hong-kong-companies-edge-collapse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3168010/coronavirus-hong-kong-companies-edge-collapse?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Feb 2022 00:00:37 +0000 The number of domestic helpers needing immediate help with home quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19 has ballooned from a handful to nearly 70 in less than a week, concern groups have revealed. A coalition of 14 NGOs serving migrant workers’ interests told the media on Tuesday they were trying to secure alternative accommodation for the workers, including university dormitories or religious retreat housing, but they were being frustrated by social-distancing rules and red tape. HELP... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3167994/coronavirus-nearly-70-domestic-helpers-lack-any?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3167994/coronavirus-nearly-70-domestic-helpers-lack-any?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Feb 2022 12:44:13 +0000 Hong Kong ramped up efforts with Beijing’s on-the-ground support to contain a ballooning Covid-19 outbreak, starting work on Saturday to build around 10,000 isolation and treatment units for infected people, while a second team of experts from mainland China arrived in the city to help fight the pandemic. The city confirmed more than 6,000 new infections, even as authorities said patients were no longer left waiting in the cold outside swamped public hospitals after several days of distressing... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3167660/hong-kong-facing-record-7000-coronavirus-cases?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3167660/hong-kong-facing-record-7000-coronavirus-cases?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Feb 2022 05:15:41 +0000 At least 10 foreign domestic workers were forced to sleep on the streets or denied treatment after testing positive for the coronavirus amid a surge in infections in Hong Kong, several migrant workers rights groups warned on Friday. Charities and rights groups have sounded alarm bells after several domestic workers were abandoned when they tested positive, with a lack of government assistance forcing NGOs to step in to help. Anna*, 35, was left to sleep at a park in Yau Ma Tei for two nights... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3167607/domestic-helpers-denied-treatment-forced-sleep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3167607/domestic-helpers-denied-treatment-forced-sleep?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Feb 2022 12:30:27 +0000 Hong Kong’s tough social-distancing curbs and a looming vaccine pass at shopping malls could deal a more severe blow to the retail sector than the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, an industry group have warned. The Hong Kong Retail Management Association on Thursday called on the government to roll out a fresh round of HK$5,000 (US$640) electronic consumption vouchers to stimulate the economy as part of the annual budget expected to be announced next Wednesday. Annie Tse Yau... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3167433/tough-social-distancing-curbs-could-hurt-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3167433/tough-social-distancing-curbs-could-hurt-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Feb 2022 11:07:03 +0000