Government workers are clearing the street in the Jordan area on January 25.
Photographer: Chan Long Hei / Bloomberg
Photographer: Chan Long Hei / Bloomberg
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Hong Kong has indicated more closures in the future after considering its first measure, imposed on an area in Kowloon this past weekend, to track down 13 new cases.
The lock, which affected 10,000 people, was in force for two days in the Yau Ma Tei and Jordanian areas of Kowloon where about 7,000 residents were tested.
The order was effective in identifying infected patients and quickly isolating them and their close contacts, Food and Health Minister Sophia Chan told a news conference on Sunday. “If there is such a need, of course, we do not rule out the possibility of a future operation like this,” she said.
The unprecedented operation was announced early Saturday before it went into effect, involving more than 3,000 government officials from 16 departments. Residents were not allowed to leave the area before the test was completed, although those with a negative test result were allowed on Sunday night.
Earlier media reports of a more serious close was published on Friday which lowered the Hang Seng index by 1.6%, the biggest drop in almost two months. The South China Morning Post said the move would affect tens of thousands of people and even include parts of Sham Shui Po, but later scaled back its report.
The measure is a departure to a city that earlier in the pandemic resisted a more aggressive stance, although it still pales in comparison to the blockades adopted in mainland China, where people are sometimes banned from cities, districts or even to leave their apartment complex.
A resident leaves the lock-up area in Jordan, admitted with a negative Covid-19 test on January 24th.
Photographer: Chan Long Hei / Bloomberg
A government statement issued early Monday morning has been issued hope that “this temporary inconvenience will completely cut the local transmission chains in the district and alleviate residents’ worries and fears.”
From 1 to 20 January, a total of 162 positive cases were recorded in the lock-up area, involving 56 buildings, the statement said.
“The government will use this restriction with mandatory test order, if necessary,” CEO Carrie Lam said at a briefing on Saturday. Officials will improve the way they communicate about such plans, including the timing of announcements, Lam said, adding that she will not rule out the measure being taken again.