A man in a protective mask takes a photo of the sunset off the coast of Tsim Sha Tsui as skyline buildings rise in Victoria Harbor after the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Hong Kong, China, July 28, 2020. REUTERS / Tyrone Siu
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam warned that the city is on the verge of a large-scale outbreak of the coronavirus and urged people to stay indoors as long as possible, as the new measures Strict measures to stop the spread of the disease take effect on Wednesday.
The new regulations prohibit gatherings of more than two people, dine near restaurants, and make the use of face masks mandatory in public places, including outdoors. These are the harshest measures introduced in the city since the outbreak.
The government has also stepped up testing and quarantine arrangements for air and maritime crew members, beginning Wednesday.
“We are on the verge of a large-scale community outbreak, which can lead to a collapse of our hospital system and cost lives, especially the elderly,” Lam said in a statement Tuesday night.
“In order to protect our loved ones, our health care staff and Hong Kong, I ask that you strictly follow social distancing measures and stay home as far as possible.”
The new measures, which will be in effect for at least seven days, were announced on Monday after the global financial center experienced an increase in locally transmitted cases in the past three weeks.
On Tuesday, Hong Kong reported 106 new cases of coronavirus, including 98 that were transmitted locally. Since the end of January, more than 2,880 people have been infected in the former British colony, 23 of whom have died.
Reports by Twinnie Siu and Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Christian Schmollinger
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