At Xi Jinping's Word... Hong Kong Faces '5th Wave' Lockdowns, Schools Closed and Summer Break Starting March

Starting next month, 7.4 million mandatory tests begin… Only up to 2 people allowed per table in restaurants
Closed schools temporarily converted into COVID-19 response centers

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jung] Hong Kong, ordered by Chinese President Xi Jinping to fully contain the spread of COVID-19, will implement high-intensity social distancing measures including school closures from March to April. The summer vacation originally scheduled for July to August will be moved up to March, closing schools and temporarily converting them into COVID-19 response centers.

The South China Morning Post reported on the 23rd that Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's Chief Executive, announced at a press conference the day before that measures to respond to the fifth wave of COVID-19 by mid-April will be taken. The announced measures include ▲mandatory COVID-19 testing for the 7.4 million population ▲2-person limit per table in restaurants ▲school closures and early summer vacation (early March to April 17) ▲flight bans from nine countries including the United States, Australia, and Canada.

First, approximately 7.4 million Hong Kong residents must undergo three rounds of COVID-19 testing next month, and all restaurants will only allow up to two people per table until April 20. Testing will be conducted at intervals of 5 to 7 days based on birth year, and masks (KN95) will be provided during the testing period.

Schools will start their vacation, originally beginning in July, about four months earlier in March, and school facilities will be used as response centers for COVID-19 testing, quarantine, and vaccinations.

Under the current social distancing regulations, certain facilities such as bars, nightclubs, sports facilities, and hair salons will also be closed until April 20. The existing flight bans on nine countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, Nepal, the Philippines, and the United States will be extended until that date.

On the 22nd, Hong Kong reported 6,211 new COVID-19 cases and 39 deaths. A senior Hong Kong official warned that daily infections have surged 64 times compared to early this month.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said, "This outbreak is an unprecedented challenge," adding, "It is difficult to say whether this wave can be definitely suppressed within 2 to 3 months, but this period is very critical." She further expressed concern about additional spread, saying, "We probably have not yet seen the peak."

With support from mainland China, at least hundreds of testing centers will be established in Hong Kong in a short period, and it is expected that over one million tests can be conducted daily.

However, some criticize that due to these high-intensity lockdowns, Hong Kong has transformed from "the world's most open city" to "the most isolated city." The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 22nd (local time) that "Hong Kong's decision to implement winter vacation in March has confused teachers and parents." In particular, international schools in Hong Kong urgently sent emails to parents and staff, informing them of plans to meet with the Hong Kong Education Bureau.

Some foreigners residing in Hong Kong are also trying to book flights as soon as possible to leave Hong Kong. A local travel agency, GC Nanda & Son, stated, "Inquiries and requests for flights departing from Hong Kong are flooding in," adding, "80% of the requests come from foreign workers living with their families." They added, "Inquiries started increasing last week right after the city announced the large-scale COVID-19 testing plan and surged from the 22nd."