Balanced approach required with rise in Covid infections in Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong government is right to maintain existing social-distancing rules, not tighten them, for a city that should remain vigilant as it longs for a return to normality
With daily coronavirus infections recently edging uncomfortably to more than 9,000, the government’s decision to maintain the existing health restrictions does not come as a surprise.
While vigilance must prevail to help curb the outbreak, the city should not shy away from further opening up as appropriate. Striking a good balance remains the key.
The health authorities have sensibly resisted tightening measures despite more disturbing developments. The city logged 54,266 new infections over the past week, a 28.5 per cent increase on the previous week.
The number of imported cases and hospital admissions has also risen. The decision to keep the status quo will be maintained until mid-December for the time being, putting the brake on undoing social-distancing rules step by step for the first time since early October.
Adding to the challenge is the winter flu season, which may strain the public healthcare system further. “The epidemic situation has become volatile,” officials said.
The surge was attributed to various reasons, such as more social activities following the easing of Covid curbs and residents’ waning immunity.
Thankfully, the latter is being addressed by the procurement of BioNTech bivalent booster jabs. The new vaccine is expected to be rolled out as the fourth shot for eligible citizens early next month.
Hopefully, this will enhance overall immunity but, that said, the inoculation rate among the elderly and young children still leaves much to be desired. With more visitors and students expected to return from overseas for Christmas, the city’s defence system will be further put to the test.
The gradual resumption of travel following the abolition of hotel quarantine in September has inevitably heightened the risk of imported infections, but the holiday season is also a golden opportunity for businesses.
The government has to weigh such factors carefully and provide as much room for economic and social activities as possible. This is also in line with the strategies adopted by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.
Fluctuations in Covid infections are not uncommon. With at least one in four citizens having been infected so far, there is no need for panic at this stage.
As long as the public healthcare system can cope and the symptoms are manageable, there is still room for further opening up.
The government, to its credit, has relaxed travel and business curbs over the past few months, although the pace is still falling short of public expectations.
The pandemic has wreaked havoc for nearly three years and the city has paid a heavy price. The government should strive to curb infections so city life can return to normal as soon as possible.
