Faced with an exponential spike in Covid-19 infections, the Hong Kong government has rolled out new containment measures including bringing forward school holidays, extended dining out curfews and compulsory testings for all residents.
This follows the chief executive’s urgent call last week for Hong Kong hotels to provide rooms as community isolation facilities.
The government has ordered all 7.5 million residents to undergo three rounds of compulsory Covid-19 tests, as confirmed case numbers swell past 66,000 across different districts. The situation has led to an overloaded medical system, with hospital capacity hitting past 90 per cent.
Social restrictions to set in include an earlier summer break for schools in March and April; mandatory closure of certain public premises such as gyms, entertainment venues and bars extended until April 20; and continued ban on dine-in at F&B outlets from 18.00.
The dine-in curfew has been in place since January 2022, and industry players have warned that 5,000 restaurants may close as a result of the extension.
At press time, the 2022-2023 Budget is being delivered by Hong Kong’s financial secretary. A slew of measures and policies to boost the local economy has been announced, including a fresh round of vouchers to encourage locals to spend on domestic tourism.
