Hong Kong’s leader has said that a third-phase easing in late June of social-distancing rules that would lift all restrictions on pubs and restaurants may be delayed because of recent Covid-19 infections tied to two bar clusters.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor also told reporters before the weekly meeting of her de facto cabinet on Tuesday that there would be no wide adjustments before June 30 to other pandemic measures, such as reducing the seven-day hotel quarantine for arrivals.
“There have already been more than 10 ... infection clusters in the community, especially the most recent two involving bars, so we have to take a very prudent approach and my position at this moment is that we will probably not introduce the third and final stage of social-distancing relaxation before the end of June,” she said.
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As of Monday, 19 more cases were recorded from two infection clusters in the Lan Kwai Fong clubbing district, bringing the total to 43. Industry leaders said authorities had not clarified grey areas in rules at bars.
Currently, bars are allowed to stay open until midnight or 2am based on certain criteria, with a four-person table cap. No live performance or dancing is allowed, and patrons must wear masks at all times except when drinking or eating.
Authorities had announced in March that the third phase of eased rules – under a three-stage pandemic exit strategy – involved the lifting of all restrictions on opening hours, capacity and number of diners per table at premises such as bars and restaurants.
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Lam on Tuesday said there would be minimal impact on the public even if the third phase was not implemented next month.
“The final phase actually involves only removing any remaining restrictions on the operation of these premises ... On balance, I feel [not further easing curbs on] these activities won’t be very detrimental to a return to normalcy for most Hong Kong people,” she said.
The chief executive also said that in the past week, the epidemic situation had remained stable, and there was no obvious rebound in the number of cases. Other indicators, such as viral load in sewage samples, also stayed at low levels, she added.
Lam added that according to the Hospital Authority, there were still about 400 patients receiving hospital treatment for Covid-19, but that number was falling.
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She also revealed the official theme song marking celebrations for the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s July 1 return to Chinese rule.
The song, titled Heading Forward, features 28 singers across different generations. They include veteran stars such as Jacky Cheung Hok-yau, Andy Lau Tak-wah, Joey Yung Cho-yee, as well as younger performers including Gigi Yim Ming Hay, singer-songwriter AGA and Malaysian artist Gin Lee.
The star power has been ramped up compared with celebrations five years ago, when 10 artists jointly recorded then theme song Hong Kong Our Home.
But 15-year-old singer Chantel Yiu and fencer Cheung Siu-lun, who were expected to join the group in singing this year’s number, were notably absent.
It was also the second time that musician Keith Chan Siu-kei has been roped in for lyrics to the city’s handover anniversary songs. He was part of the production of Just Because You Are Here in 2007.
Hong Kong business group calls proposed pay rise for civil servants ‘out of touch’
On Tuesday, Lam was also asked at the presser whether senior civil servants would get a record pay rise as earlier reported.
Last Wednesday, Hong Kong’s major civil service unions endorsed an advisory committee’s controversial suggestion that senior government staff receive a pay increase of up to 7.26 per cent.
But the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the biggest business organisation in the city, has said the proposal is “out of touch with reality” and approving it may cause a “ripple effect across the whole economy”.
Lam said the suggestions were raised based on the findings of an independent pay trends survey, and the Executive Council had yet to make a decision on the matter.
“Many people said the findings were detached from Hong Kong’s economic and employment situation, and when Exco discusses this topic, we will consider this,” she said.
“As the secretary for civil service has said, we have been following this practice repeatedly in previous years on not just rigidly following survey results to adjust civil services wages on an annual basis.”
Lam said that in considering the issue, Exco would take into account six factors. They are: pay trend survey findings; the state of Hong Kong’s economy; the government’s fiscal position; changes in the cost of living; pay claims from staff; and civil service morale.
More from South China Morning Post:
- Coronavirus: debate rages over ‘unclear’ social-distancing rules at Hong Kong nightclubs after clusters found at 2 venues; city logs 275 cases
- Coronavirus: Hong Kong border controls unlikely to be eased before June 30, outgoing leader Carrie Lam says, as city reports 250 new cases
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