Stay home, keep safe – Strictly Observe Social Distancing
29 March 2020
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COVID-19 confirmed cases continue to soar all over the world, affecting more than 200 countries and regions. The global figure reached 100 000 on 6 March, and rose to 200 000 in less than two weeks (as at 18 March). It then increased to 300 000 within three days, and drastically jumped to over 550 000 yesterday. The fact that some 450 000 new cases occurred in only three weeks’ time shows that the disease is spreading at a shocking pace.
With a large number of Hong Kong residents returning from overseas where the epidemic has become increasingly severe, the number of imported confirmed cases in Hong Kong has been on the rise. There are also a few clusters of community-acquired cases. In the past two weeks, the number of confirmed cases surged from 138 to 518 (as at 27 March), which is more than a threefold increase. A large-scale outbreak in our community is highly imminent and worrying. Members of the public must stay vigilant and be united in effort to fight the epidemic.
Last week, the SAR Government responded swiftly to the latest situation and announced enhanced anti-epidemic measures with a view to curbing an outbreak in the community. With effect from 25 March (for a tentative period of 14 days), all non-Hong Kong residents coming from overseas by plane would be denied entry to Hong Kong. Non-Hong Kong residents coming from the Mainland, Macao and Taiwan would be denied entry to Hong Kong if they had been to any overseas countries and regions in the past 14 days. All travellers coming from Macao and Taiwan, including Hong Kong and non-Hong Kong residents, would be subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine, as with people entering Hong Kong from the Mainland. Other measures included virus testing for asymptomatic inbound travellers from the United Kingdom, other countries in Europe and the United States.
These measures have been effective in reducing the flow of people into and out of Hong Kong. The number of arrivals via all control points (including the airport) has dropped significantly. The overall number was 14 783 on 24 March. It fell 64% to 5 297 when the enhanced measures took effect on 25 March, and dropped further to 4 033 on 27 March.
To further reduce contacts during social functions, meals and gatherings and thereby inhibit virus transmission in the community, the Government has taken more stringent and resolute measures to prohibit activities that involve crowd gatherings. A ban has just been introduced on group gatherings of more than four people in public places, taking effect from 0.00 am today for a period of 14 days. Twelve categories of group gatherings are exempted due to their nature. (Please refer to the press release for details.
Besides, starting from 6 pm yesterday, the maximum number of customers to be served at all catering premises should be 50% of their normal seating capacity. Tables should be arranged in such a way that there is a distance of at least 1.5 metres or a partition which could serve as a buffer between them. No more than four persons should be seated at one table. Also, all persons at the catering premises are required to wear a mask (except during the consumption of food and drinks). Body temperature screening should be conducted before a person is allowed to enter the premises. Besides, hand sanitisers should be provided for use by customers.
On account of the confirmed cases so far, especially those involving cluster outbreaks in high-risk premises or related to premises with higher infection risks, the Government has announced the closure of six categories of premises with effect from 6 pm yesterday when the regulation came into force. These premises are amusement game centres, bathhouses, fitness centres, places of amusement (including billiard establishments, bowling-alleys and public skating rinks), places of public entertainment (including cinemas), and premises commonly known as “party rooms”. The two control measures will be implemented for 14 days tentatively. (Please refer to the press release for details.)
The above control measures, which will inevitably add further strains to the business of the sectors concerned and affect the livelihood of employees, are indispensable for preventing and fighting the disease. The Government will offer financial support focusing on protecting employees of the affected sectors.
In late February, the Government announced the establishment of an Anti-epidemic Fund (AEF), providing support under a total of 24 items. As various sectors were further hit by the epidemic in the past couple of months, the Government will seek funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council again for the launch of AEF 2.0 once appropriate proposals have been worked out.
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From 19 March (i.e. the implementation date of the compulsory quarantine arrangement for persons arriving at Hong Kong from foreign places) to 28 March, the Police found over 70 cases of breach of quarantine orders and sent the offenders to quarantine centres. Some of them had left their places of quarantine without permission to dine at restaurants or go shopping, just to name a few examples. Such acts of selfishness and irresponsibility at the expense of community safety should be condemned because community outbreaks can be unstoppable.
The Government will not tolerate any breach of home quarantine orders or condone such acts. Convicted offenders are liable to imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of $25,000. Upon receipt of reports of suspected breaches of quarantine orders from members of the public or detection of such breaches via the Government electronic monitoring system, the Police will investigate promptly and send the offenders intercepted to closed quarantine centres. For cases with sufficient evidence, the Government will instigate prosecution.
I strongly appeal to anyone under home quarantine to fulfil their civic responsibility by strictly adhering to the quarantine orders in order to safeguard the health of everyone in Hong Kong, and to ensure that the efforts of the medical profession over the past months in the fight against the epidemic are not rendered futile. The Government will continue to closely monitor inbound travellers to ensure compliance of home quarantine requirements1 .
The effective implementation of anti-epidemic measures relies on each and every one of us. To minimise the risk of community spread and ensure that these measures will take full effect, all the people in Hong Kong should stand together in the fight against the epidemic. While we shall strictly enforce the law in implementing the anti-epidemic measures, I would like to appeal to all sectors of society for their cooperation with the Government.
The Ching Ming Festival is near. Crowds visiting ancestral graves will definitely increase public health risks. In order to prevent the spread of the virus, the Government appeals to the public again to avoid the peak times and go grave-sweeping before or after the Festival, or even stagger their visits over a much wider period of time.
Recently, our healthcare workers have appealed via the Internet for the public to stay home, saying that by doing so we are giving them the best support for their steadfast commitment to their duties. I understand that it is no easy matter for the public to stay at home or in designated premises for a long time without being able to go out and live a normal life, and without having gatherings with relatives and friends due to the need for social distancing. Nevertheless, for the sake of Hong Kong, our healthcare workers, yourselves and your families, please continue to stay on guard with patience, tolerance and self-discipline. By staying home, we can fight this long-running battle together and protect our homeland.
