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Reuters
Ms. Lam said authorities would speed up the tests and asked some officials to work from home.
Hong Kong has seen its biggest one-day increase in cases since the pandemic began, the territory’s executive director, Carrie Lam.
At a press conference Sunday, Lam said there had been more than 100 new infections and announced new restrictions to contain the spread.
She described the situation as “really critical” and said there was “no sign” that it was under control.
Non-essential public officials must work from home and testing will increase.
The chief executive promised that authorities would conduct 10,000 tests a day, and also made the use of face masks mandatory in indoor public spaces. Facial coatings were already mandatory on public transportation.
There were 108 new cases, 83 of them local and 25 imported, health authorities said.
The announcement comes days after Hong Kong Disneyland closed again, less than a month after the reopening, when the government resumed social distancing measures.
Authorities closed bars, gyms, and clubs last week amid the recent outbreak and banned restaurants from allowing diners to eat after 6 pm These restrictions will be extended.
Hong Kong had seen relatively few cases of coronavirus after imposing rapid and strict measures earlier in the year to prevent its spread. But recently there has been an increase in cases, with more than 500 new infections reported in the past two weeks.
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In recent weeks, authorities have banned several pro-democracy gatherings, including the June 4 vigil for victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, and an annual pro-democracy rally on July 1, citing coronaviruses and measures of social distancing.
However, many feared that the police were using the coronavirus outbreak as an excuse to restrict pro-democracy gatherings, and tens of thousands defied the bans.
In June, China passed a tough new security law that criminalizes subversion, secession, and collusion with foreign forces in Hong Kong.
The legislation has been condemned by numerous countries and human rights activists, who say the law is loosely defined and erodes freedoms.
However, China has rejected the criticism and supporters say it is necessary to restore order in Hong Kong.
New Hong Kong security law
