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Hong Kong will ban all food service at restaurants and public gatherings of more than two non-family members starting Wednesday, as the city’s worst coronavirus outbreak shows no signs of diminishing.
In a third round of rule-setting in so many weeks, Chief Administration Secretary Matthew Cheung said Monday that masks will now also be required in outdoor areas, with only medical exemptions.
Wave of virus swells
Hong Kong reported a record 142 new local coronavirus cases on Monday
Sources: Hong Kong government, Bloomberg
Sports facilities and swimming pools are also closing, adding to a list of closed businesses including gyms, bars, and beauty salons. The new restrictions are for an initial period of one week before they are revised.
The Asian Financial Center It has been caught off guard by the sudden leap of infections after managing to contain the spread locally as it tore worldwide. Officials are now Fight slowing down what they call a third wave, while increasing health centers that are reaching capacity.
A customer with a face mask carries takeout bags from a restaurant in Hong Kong on July 24.
Photo credit: Chan Long Hei / Bloomberg
Hong Kong reported 142 local cases on Monday, the sixth day in a row that new infections exceeded 100. Before this month, the reported number of daily locally transmitted infections had never exceeded 28.
The proportion of infections of unknown origin remains high, around 40% of the total on Monday, reflecting that hidden transmission chains continue to appear despite strict rules of social distancing.
Authorities had previously banned dining after 6 p.m. and expanded requirements for wearing masks, from public transportation to indoor public places.
Although the government is trying to push evidence and expand quarantine and hospitalization facilities, the long stretch that saw the city apparently dodge the Covid-19 bullet has left its defenses low.
The beds and isolation rooms in public hospitals have reached 80% of their capacity, while their total testing capacity is less than in other places in the region that also face resurgences, such as the Victoria state of Australia.
Unlike some places where it’s mainly Young people who are recently becoming infected, Hong Kong’s current surge is affecting a group of older people, increasing the likelihood that more cases will become critical.
– With the assistance of Matt Turner and Daniela Wei
(Updates with Monday’s virus cases in the fifth paragraph)
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