Abacus | Coronavirus has left Hong Kong’s economy looking critically ill

Daily local coronavirus infections are close to zero, but social distancing measures remain in force, holding back a much needed economic recovery

The business pillars of Hong Kong’s identity are fast shedding assets and staff as revenues collapse. Before it is too late, the SAR needs to be set mask free

Reading Time:5 minutes

Cathay Pacific has axed thousands of staff as part of a restructuring plan to survive the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 8:00am, 2 Nov 2020Updated: 3:14pm, 2 Nov 2020

LET IT RIP

The recent long weekend was beautiful. It was great to be out in the open air, with some of the best weather Hong Kong can offer. On the flip side, it was also the last long weekend before Christmas and could, if not for social-distancing restrictions, have been another earner for Hong Kong businesses which desperately need to get back on their feet following the devastating impact of the coronavirus this year.

Although the main areas of Hong Kong are bustling during the week and public transit is back at “crush” capacity, we were unable to frolic on a public beach or have a BBQ in the perfect weather due to the continued closure of such facilities. According to the Centre for Health Protection’s latest broadcast message, the average daily number of locally transmitted cases of Covid-19 over the previous seven days was substantially less than one.

Our government’s timid reaction to these very low numbers has been to ease up slightly on social distancing. From the Friday before last we were allowed to drink in fours and eat in sixes until 1:59am, but wear a mask when going to use the lavatory. Were we to step outside the restaurant with our five friends, we’d need to get rid of two immediately or risk being fined. There are widespread reports of people largely ignoring these rules, and businesses struggle to enforce them. Is it any wonder? Perhaps the infection risk people perceive and the political risk Carrie Lam’s administration sees are somewhat asymmetric?

Not everybody is impressed with the decision to close Hong Kong's beaches. Photo: Henk Jan Pomstra of the Cathay Camera Club

HARD OFFICIAL DATA

What conclusion to draw from the data that’s reported to us daily? With between zero to one new local infection per day, I can’t see a case for supporting continued draconian social-distancing rules. After the tightening-up of exemptions for visiting ships, effective airport tests, and 14-day quarantines for people entering the city, it appears nearly impossible to catch the virus now.

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