Hong Kong - Covid-19 cases - 4,902 cases, 99 deaths?

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...0012800457.htm
Suspension of services of Transport Department
***************************************


To tie in with the response level under the "Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance" being raised to Emergency Response Level and avoid people from gathering, the Transport Department today (January 28) announced that the public services under the department, i.e. the Licensing Offices at Admiralty, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin, Public Vehicles Unit, Cross Boundary Unit, Driving Test Appointment Office, Vehicle Examination Centres, Driving Test Centres, Written Test Centre, Urban and New Territories Regional Offices will be suspended from tomorrow (January 29) until further notice.

Candidates scheduled for driving test (including road test and written test) will be individually informed of the alternative arrangements.

Applicants who have made an appointment for renewal of a full driving licence/vehicle licence or application for an international driving permit will have to reschedule the appointment by making a fresh application.

Urban and New Territories Regional Offices will inform permit applicants separately regarding the arrangement for permit collection.



Ends/Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Issued at HKT 15:40

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...0012800508.htm

Special arrangement for postal services
********************************


Following the special work arrangement announced by the Government today (January 28), Hongkong Post announced today that post office counter service, mail delivery service and mail collection from posting boxes will be temporarily suspended after the Lunar New Year holidays (from January 29 to February 2). We will maintain delivery service for inbound Speedpost items. Mail posted during the period will be processed upon postal services resume normal.

Hongkong Post will keep in view the situation to make adjustments and please check for the latest announcements on Hongkong Post website (www.hongkongpost.hk) for any updates. For enquiries, please call the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline at 2921 2222.



Ends/Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Issued at HKT 16:35

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...0012800558.htm

Public hospital daily update on Wuhan-related cases
******************************************


As at noon today (January 28), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health (DH) the admission of 78 patients (36 male and 42 female, aged 14 months to 91) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of severe respiratory disease associated with a novel infectious agent. Specimens of the patients concerned have been sent to the DH for testing. Among the 103 patients under isolation, 100 are in stable condition. One male patient in North District Hospital and one female patient in Tuen Mun Hospital are in serious condition due to their underlying diseases. One male patient being infected with novel coronavirus in Princess Margaret Hospital is still in serious condition.

The HA will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.




Ends/Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:30

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...0012800591.htm

Hong Kong Customs clarifies false Internet rumours about prohibiting importation of face masks
************************************************** ***************************


With regard to Internet rumours that the Government has listed face mask products as prohibited articles after taking into account political consideration, a spokesman for Hong Kong Customs today (January 28) clarified that the rumours are unfounded.

Customs has all along been making use of risk-profiling and intelligence analysis to carry out customs clearance over passenger, cargo, conveyance and postal article at various control points pursuant to relevant legislation to combat the import and export of controlled/prohibited items into and out of Hong Kong.

Since surgical mask is not included in the lists of controlled/prohibited items, Customs would not hinder importation of such products into Hong Kong legally.

Full lists of controlled/prohibited items are specified in the relevant legislation. A summary list of such articles is available on the Hong Kong Customs website (www.customs.gov.hk/en/trade_facilitation/prohibited_articles/index.html) for reference by members of the public.



Ends/Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Issued at HKT 18:54

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...0012800797.htm

CHP announces latest arrangements on health declaration and situations on imported cases of novel coronavirus infection
************************************************** ******************************


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 28) announced the expansion of health declaration arrangements from West Kowloon Station of the Express Rail Link to Hong Kong International Airport tomorrow (January 29). Starting from 9am tomorrow, all inbound travellers by air from the Mainland will be required to complete and submit a health declaration form.

A spokesman for the CHP said, "The preparation for implementing health declaration measures by the Port Health Division (PHD) of the CHP is in full swing. For expanding health declaration measures to incoming travellers from the Mainland of other boundary control points, the PHD is now actively working with related departments and units on the preparation and arrangements."

Separately, the CHP is today continuing its investigations on the eight imported cases of novel coronavirus infection, and is closely monitoring a number of overseas cases and conducting related contact tracing. The public is again urged to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.

The CHP today received a notification of a confirmed case in Haikou, Hainan Province, involving a female patient. She took the flight KA694 by Cathay Dragon from Hong Kong to Haikou on January 27 and was found having a fever upon arrival at Meilan International Airport. She was subsequently transferred to a hospital there for treatment.

The CHP today also received a notification of two confirmed cases in Taiwan involving two female patients, who claimed to reside in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The two patients took the flight CX408 by Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) from Hong Kong to Taiwan on January 21 before onset of symptoms. Both then sought medical attention in Taiwan.

Last night, the CHP received a notification of a confirmed case in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province involving a 55-year-old man, who claimed to reside in Sai Kung district in Hong Kong. He visited Wuhan from January 10 to 16, and developed symptoms on January 23. He travelled to Zhanjiang on January 26 and sought medical attention there.

In addition, the health authority of the United States also informed the CHP last night of a confirmed case involving a 54-year-old man. He took the flight KA855 by Cathay Dragon from Wuhan to Hong Kong on January 20, then took the flight CX 880 by CX from Hong Kong to Los Angeles on January 21. Meanwhile, the CHP is still following up on the cases in Huizhou and Japan announced on January 25.

The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing. Quarantine will be arranged for close contacts while medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts. The Lady MacLehose Holiday Village under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has been converted as quarantine centre and close contacts would be transferred to the village for quarantine. For the progress on the contact tracing of the cases, please see annex.

The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 1122) for the cases, which operates from 8am to 9pm daily to answer public enquiries. As at 4pm today, a total of 832 calls were received.

A dedicated webpage (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102465.html) has been set up by the CHP to provide relevant information and health advice on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent. Information of the latest notifications received from the Mainland and overseas will be updated to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/statistics_of_the_cases_novel_coronavirus_infectio n_en.pdf) daily at 9am and 6pm to help the public grasp information on the affected countries/areas.

A spokesman for the CHP said, "The CHP will continue to maintain its liaison with the National Health Commission, the World Health Organization and the relevant health authorities, and closely monitor the situation for risk assessment."...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...0012900006.htm

HKSAR Government announces enhanced measures for disease prevention and control
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Following the escalation of the response level to Emergency under the Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance on January 25, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has convened the Steering Committee cum Command Centre for three consecutive days since January 26 to tackle the situation in relation to novel coronavirus infection. Taking into account the development speed and severity of the situation, the Steering Committee cum Command Centre decided at its meeting yesterday (January 28) to further implement seven disease prevention and control measures. The measures include reducing the flow of people between the Mainland and Hong Kong as well as contacts among members of the public, with a view to lowering the chance of the disease being imported into Hong Kong and spreading in the community.

(1) Significantly reducing the flow of people between the Mainland and Hong Kong

In order to reduce the flow of people between the Mainland and Hong Kong, the Mainland authorities have agreed to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's request to suspend the issuance of endorsements in all 49 cities under the Individual Visit Scheme, including the "one trip per week" endorsement, on top of the earlier suspension of all tour groups to Hong Kong. According to the figures for December last year, visitors under the Individual Visit Scheme accounted for about 50 per cent of all Mainland visitors. This measure will significantly reduce the number of Mainland visitors to Hong Kong.

In addition, the following transport services and border control point services will be reduced or suspended:

(a) On railway services, the services of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Intercity Through Train will be suspended;
(b) On aviation services, Mainland flights will be cut to about half;
(c) On ferry services, all cross-boundary ferry services to and from the China Ferry Terminal and the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal will be suspended;
(d) On land-based cross-boundary transport, cross-boundary coach and shuttle bus services (including the short-haul cross-boundary coach service at Huanggang Port, Yellow Bus and Gold Bus) using the Lok Ma Chau Control Point, the Shenzhen Bay Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port will reduce the service frequency;
(e) The services of the West Kowloon Station, **** Hom Station, China Ferry Terminal and Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal control points will be suspended. The passenger services in Sha Tau Kok and Man Kam To will also be suspended, but the services for goods will not be affected.

The above measures will be effective from the early hours of January 30 until further notice.

The above measures will not only reduce the flow of people between the Mainland and Hong Kong, but also allow relevant departments to focus resources on control points which remain in service through redeployment, thereby strengthening the health checks of travellers. In addition, body temperature checks and health declarations for departing travellers have already been implemented in all Mainland ports, including those in Shenzhen. The HKSAR Government will strengthen its joint efforts with the Mainland authorities in disease prevention and control, including putting in place more infrared body temperature checking equipment in border control points in Hong Kong to implement body temperature checks for departing travellers.

(2) Fee charging by the Hospital Authority

The current Hospital Authority fee-charging policy serves a public health strategy, which is to waive the charges for Ineligible Persons (i.e. non-Hong Kong residents) to avoid a situation in which patients suffering from infectious disease evade tests due to their cost and spread the disease in the community. However, as Hong Kong has entered a key stage in its efforts in preventing the disease, in order to not make the fee waiver an incentive for persons infected by novel coronavirus to come to Hong Kong for medical care, the HKSAR Government has requested the Hospital Authority to adjust its fee-charging policy. The Hospital Authority will charge all Ineligible Persons the relevant fees with immediate effect.

(3) Reducing the flow and contacts of people in Hong Kong

The HKSAR Government urges Hong Kong people to return from the Mainland as soon as possible. All persons returning from the Mainland are advised to stay home for 14 days upon their return as far as possible. Those who need to go out should wear a surgical mask for 14 days. Hong Kong residents should refrain from travelling to places with the disease.

The HKSAR Government appeals to employers to make flexible work arrangements for employees in accordance with their operational needs. Except for staff providing emergency and essential public services, all other employees of the Government are not required to return to their offices but to work at home after the holidays. The measure will be implemented tentatively until February 2. The Government will review the situation before then.

(4) Assisting Hong Kong residents in Hubei

As of January 27, the HKSAR Government had received 107 requests for assistance in relation to the novel coronavirus, involving about 200 Hong Kong people in Hubei Province. As public transport services in the relevant places have been suspended completely, the HKSAR Government is now discussing with the Central Authorities on ways to arrange for Hong Kong people stranded in Hubei to return to Hong Kong in a safe and practical manner.

(5) Hubei residents in Hong Kong

Hubei residents have been restricted from entering Hong Kong since January 27. For those Hubei residents who have already entered Hong Kong, they are only allowed to stay in Hong Kong for seven days in general, so it is believed that the number of these people in Hong Kong will gradually decrease. The HKSAR Government is reaching out to hotels through the hotel industry and the Hong Kong Tourism Board to contact travellers from Hubei Province and is also contacting students from Hubei returning to Hong Kong through the tertiary institutions. The Centre for Health Protection will then follow up. The HKSAR Government also appeals to all Hong Kong residents who have been to Hubei Province in the past 14 days to call the Centre's hotline 2125 1122 as soon as possible.

(6) Quarantine centre facilities

To tackle the disease, the HKSAR Government will continue to identify suitable places to serve as quarantine centre facilities and other purposes. It, however, will not consider Fai Ming Estate or other unoccupied public housing estates. If there are not enough quarantine centre facilities and there is a wide spread of the disease in the community, the HKSAR Government may need to impose home isolation for the relevant persons.

(7) Surgical masks and other supplies

Apart from stocking up on adequate protective equipment (e.g. surgical masks) for government departments and the Hospital Authority in accordance with the HKSAR Government's response plan for infectious diseases, the HKSAR Government is concerned about public demand for surgical masks. As the supply is tight, the HKSAR Government is conducting worldwide procurement in order to ensure adequate supplies for tackling the disease. The HKSAR Government will also make available adequate resources for all the disease prevention and control efforts.

In addition to the above-mentioned measures, the HKSAR Government started to impose restrictions on Hubei residents and those who have visited Hubei Province in the past 14 days from entering Hong Kong since January 27. It also announced some adjustments of services subsidised by the Social Welfare Department and the closure of some leisure and cultural facilities. The HKSAR Government appeals to members of the public to pay attention to the announcements of the relevant departments and appreciates their understanding on the possible inconvenience caused.

Mrs Lam expresses her gratitude to all those involved in the prevention and control of the disease for their hard work, in particular the front-line colleagues in the Centre for Health Protection and the Port Health Division of the Department of Health as well as all hospitals and clinics of the Hospital Authority, and also the staff members providing support services in environmental hygiene and those in the Government Laboratory. She once again appeals to the public to work together in disease prevention and control.



Ends/Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Issued at HKT 0:27

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...0012900038.htm

FEHD clarification
**************


In response to online rumours claiming that the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) provided expired face masks to cleansing workers and has not provided sufficient training to them, FEHD today (January 29) clarified that such rumours are unfounded.

A spokesman for FEHD stressed that the department attaches importance to the safety of cleansing workers (including those of outsourced contractors). Face masks provided by the department and its public cleansing services contractors to their employees must comply with the related health and hygiene standards, and sufficient training should be provided to employees.



Ends/Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Issued at HKT 1:10

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...0012900604.htm

Public hospital daily update on Wuhan-related cases
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

As at noon today (January 29), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health (DH) the admission of 56 patients (31 male and 25 female, aged 13 months to 88) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of severe respiratory disease associated with a novel infectious agent. Specimens of the patients concerned have been sent to the DH for testing. Among the 89 patients under isolation, 84 and five patients are in stable condition and serious condition respectively.

The HA will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.



Ends/Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Issued at HKT 18:25

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...0012900804.htm

CHP investigates two additional imported cases of novel coronavirus infection
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (January 29) investigating two additional imported cases of novel coronavirus infection. The public is again urged to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.

The two cases involve a couple from Wuhan in Hubei Province, who are a 72-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman. They took the flight KA853 by Cathay Dragon from Wuhan to Hong Kong on January 22. They stayed at W Hong Kong on the same day until yesterday (January 28). Afterwards, they visited The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong and Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong and were subsequently sent by ambulance from Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong to Queen Mary Hospital yesterday where they were admitted for isolation and treatment.

The couple developed fever on January 25 and are in stable condition. Their respiratory samples were tested positive for novel coronavirus.

The CHP has immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. Five hotel staff will be regarded as close contacts and be transferred to Lady MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine. Medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts except for one who is symptomatic and admitted to Queen Mary Hospital for isolation and treatment. Investigation is ongoing.

The CHP has reported the case to the World Health Organization (WHO), National Health Commission (NHC), Health Commission of Guangdong Province and the health authority of Macao.

There are 10 confirmed imported cases so far. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing. The CHP is also closely monitoring a number of overseas cases and conducting related contact tracing.

The CHP today verified with the NHC that a confirmed case in Shanghai had close contact with a 47-year-old man residing in Hong Kong. He was earlier admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital as a suspected case and subsequently tested negative for novel coronavirus. He was regarded as a close contact of the confirmed case in Shanghai and will be transferred to Lady MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine.

Quarantine will be arranged for close contacts while medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts. The Lady MacLehose Holiday Village under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has been converted as quarantine centre and close contacts would be transferred to the village for quarantine. For the progress on the contact tracing of the cases, please see annex.

The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 1122) for the cases, which operates from 8am to 9pm daily to answer public enquiries. As at 4pm today, a total of 1 261 calls were received.

A dedicated webpage (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102465.html) has been set up by the CHP to provide relevant information and health advice on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent. Information of the latest notifications received from the Mainland and overseas will be updated to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/statistics_of_the_cases_novel_coronavirus_infectio n_en.pdf) daily at 9am and 6pm to help the public grasp information on the affected countries/areas.

A spokesman for the CHP said, "The CHP will continue to maintain its liaison with the National Health Commission, the World Health Organization and the relevant health authorities, and closely monitor the situation for risk assessment."...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...0012900803.htm
Government strives to ensure supply of surgical masks
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Given the severe situation of the novel coronavirus infection, a Government spokesman said today (January 29) that sufficient and stable supply of equipment for health protection is of paramount importance. In view of the keen demand for surgical masks by members of the public and their tight supply owing to the Chinese New Year holidays or other reasons, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is working proactively to increase the overall supply of surgical masks through a multi-pronged approach, striving to maintain a stable supply.

In particular, representatives of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and relevant government departments met members of local chambers of commerce and the retail industry today to learn more about the situation of the supply of surgical masks and problems encountered by importers and retailers, with a view to offering assistance to them and addressing the current tight supply.

The spokesman said that the HKSAR Government is maintaining close contact with the Mainland authorities. Customs departments between the two places are collaborating to follow up on the clearance of surgical masks procured by the Government or the market so as to speed up their delivery to Hong Kong. The Government Logistics Department is also actively sourcing globally. It has contacted more than 140 suppliers from over 10 countries, striving to procure more surgical masks to cope with the epidemic.

The spokesman added that the supply of surgical masks in the market will still be tight in the near future. As advised by experts, people should go out less often during this period of time and observe personal hygiene. The HKSAR Government has announced a package of measures to prevent people from gathering and contacting. They include extending the Chinese New Year holidays of all schools in Hong Kong, introducing special work arrangement for government departments and appealing to private sector organisations to make flexible work arrangements likewise, closing some of the government facilities such as leisure and cultural facilities and suspending recreation and sports programmes, as well as adjusting services subsidised by the Social Welfare Department. In fact, although today is the first working day after the Chinese New Year holidays, there is obviously less people on the street when comparing to normal working days. The HKSAR Government appeals to members of the public for their understanding of the inconvenience caused by the relevant measures and the inadequate supply of protective equipment. It also appeals to the community to work together in disease prevention and control at this critical moment.

At the same time, Hong Kong Customs has launched a large-scale territory-wide special operation since January 27 to combat surgical masks with false origin claims, non-compliance with consumer goods safety standards and false trademarks to protect safety and rights of the public. The operation will continue.

The spokesman said the Government noticed some members of the public are rushing to buy food. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has confirmed with the major suppliers that the supply of food products remains normal, and the suppliers will replenish the shelves of food products as soon as possible. The spokesman stressed that the suspension of services at some control points announced yesterday will not affect freight services, so food supply to Hong Kong will not be affected. The Government will maintain communication with the sector to ensure smooth supply of food.


Ends/Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Issued at HKT 23:54

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...0013000502.htm

Public hospital daily update on Wuhan-related cases
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

As at noon today (January 30), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health (DH) the admission of 95 patients (49 male and 46 female, aged 14 months to 100) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of severe respiratory disease associated with a novel infectious agent. Specimens of the patients concerned have been sent to the DH for testing. Among the 139 patients under isolation, 135 patients are in stable condition, while three and one patients are in serious and critical condition.

The HA will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.





Ends/Thursday, January 30, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:40

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.republicworld.com/world-...confirmed.html

Hong Kong: No New Virus Cases Confirmed
Health authorities in Hong Kong said on Thursday there have been no further cases of the new coronavirus found - 10 cases in total had been confirmed by Wednesday evening.
Written By Associated Press Television News | Mumbai | Updated On: January 30, 2020 18:34 IST

Health authorities in Hong Kong said on Thursday there have been no further cases of the new coronavirus found - 10 cases in total had been confirmed by Wednesday evening...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...0013000652.htm

Transcript of remarks by CS at media session
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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau; and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, met the media today (January 30). Following is the transcript of remarks from the media session:

Reporter: A lot of people are very desperate to get a face mask these days and will the Government consider following the example of Singapore or Macao to actually distribute those masks to the general public? And also, secondly, will the Government reconsider the option of closing the border or really barring Mainland people from entering Hong Kong? And also some pro-establishment lawmakers have been suggesting that maybe the Government can actually stop Mainlanders who have those valid individual visit permits from coming in. Will the Government consider doing that as well?

Chief Secretary for Administration: Now, on the question of whether the Government will hand out masks to the Hong Kong community, I think the whole question hinges on the supply, local supply. And if we can tackle the supply at source, I think the problem will be solved basically, you know. That's why we have been leaving no stone unturned in the last few weeks, trying to play the role of a facilitator. For example, most of the importers actually aren't from the Mainland. They are Hong Kong-based companies but they are operating, manufacturing on the Mainland. That's why we are facilitating by contacting the relevant ministries of our country, customs and so on to ensure that the masks can arrive Hong Kong on time and also in adequate amount.

Because of the apparent shortage on the Mainland also, you can imagine the situation is very tense at the moment. It’s also a global situation, a global problem now. It’s not just a problem for Hong Kong or China. In fact it's a global issue. Even the WHO recognises that the shortage of masks hits many, many countries in the world. That's why, in the last week or so, we've managed to facilitate 8 million pieces of masks to come to Hong Kong - some arrived yesterday, some arriving today, some arriving tomorrow. So I'm sure that in the next few days more masks will be available on the market. Secondly, 24 million pieces of masks are ready for shipment, about to be manufactured. In fact, everything is ready. Green light is given on the Mainland, so we expect 24 million pieces of masks coming to Hong Kong in the not too distant future. So I think it's a question of market forces, supply and demand.

The other question, I'm afraid I will focus today on the issue of masks. The steering committee led by the Chief Executive is meeting right now. It will continue to meet tomorrow, the fifth time, underlining the importance we attach to this issue facing us in Hong Kong. She will chair a press conference tomorrow to answer questions other than masks, so you can leave the question until tomorrow. OK? Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)




Ends/Thursday, January 30, 2020
Issued at HKT 21:10

[sharon sanders]

See video at link -

https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/video-gallery.htm

Some people in Tin Shui Wai failed to buy masks and slapped shop gates


2020-01-30 HKT 09:38

The outbreak of new coronavirus pneumonia continues, and the port mask continues to be in short supply. A large-scale chain personal care store announced on a social networking site yesterday that each branch will have about 20 boxes of masks available today. There are long queues outside the store, and a large number of citizens are waiting to buy.

Among them, a branch of a shopping mall in Tin Shui Wai had hundreds of people lining up outside the door in the morning. Since only 20 chips were dispatched, some citizens complained about the staff because they could not buy masks, and slammed and kicked the shop gates. The staff called the police. More than 10 police officers arrived to understand and urged the public to calm down.

The top citizen said that when she arrived at 2am, she felt relieved that she had finally been funded. She said that there were no masks in her home and she asked the government to find ways to increase the supply of masks. As for the 20th-ranked citizen who arrived last morning at 5 am, he believes that the government has so far only indicated that masks are being collected globally, and the measures are not enough. There are people in the lower ranks who are unable to find a way. She said that because they are not available in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun, she went to Tin Shui Wai in the morning to try. When she arrived at 5:30 in the morning, she could not get any money. The pain still had to be cold and early in the morning, but it was all empty and the situation was "miserable."

https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/video-gallery.htm

[penguinsix]

Hong Kong politician tells constituents "steaming a mask" is a good way to clean and reuse it, despite Hong Kong government saying "never do that".

https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1505673-20200130.htm

https://coconuts.co/hongkong/news/2-doctors-treating-wuhan-coronavirus-victims-test-negative-for-mysterious-virus-after-caring-for-infected-patients/

A political battle has erupted in Hong Kong with the health spokesperson for a pro-government political party taking to the networks claiming that steaming a mask is an effective treatment. The Hong Kong Center for Health Protection spoke against the practice and encouraged people not to follow this practice.