Hong Kong government needs new plan for sports, recreation and gyms if fifth Covid-19 wave hits city
- While citizens are allowed to partake in their favourite pastimes again, a dreaded fifth wave must be feared
- What can the government do moving forward to make sure people stay healthy, which is proven to help fight Covid-19
The World Health Organization recommends regular exercise as a way to help fight the coronavirus, but Hong Kong’s government has locked down most people from playing the sports they love for more than 150 days.
While the energy and happiness was palpable around the city on Thursday, a looming question lingers, one that nobody wants to ask but one we all need to think about: what is the government’s plan if a fifth wave hits?
The South China Morning Post reached out to the Home Affairs Bureau, which oversees sport and recreation, specifically asking for the government’s planif a fifth wave does come. They responded by offering up the same press release that outlines the many strait-jacket requirements people have to adhere to.
This should send shivers down the spine of everyone, be it those who love yoga, play football, or like to hit the gym every morning before work. It appears the government will simply do what they did before, lock everything down.
Why there have been no lessons learned as the pandemic enters its second year is mind-boggling. Hong Kong’s swimming pools and beaches are still closed, as if the government has somehow forgotten about them in the push to reopen the city. Beaches and outdoor venues, where people can easily social distance, do not seem like a threat even in the slightest.