The Hong Kong government is on the defensive over its extensive quarantine exemptions which have now been identified as driving much of the current outbreak. More than 1,400 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 this month – more than half of Hong Kong’s total infections in the coronavirus pandemic. Medical and testing systems in the city are overwhelmed.
Hong Kong has had strict entry bars on non-residents and mandatory quarantine for others coming into the city. However tens of thousands of individuals considered to be carrying out essential work were exempt – including about 10,000 cross-border truck drivers, as well as crew members of sea and air vessels.
In a statement released on Sunday the government defended the decision, saying the exemptions were “essential to ensure an uninterrupted supply of goods and daily necessities to maintain the economy”.
“Though exempted from mandatory 14-day quarantine, exempted persons are issued with medical surveillance notices by the Department of Health and are asked to comply with precautionary and personal hygiene measures including the wearing of masks.”
It said the exemption arrangements had “worked well in the past few months”, but in recognition of the recent rise in cases among air and sea crew personnel, some measures have been suspended or tightened.
Taking effect on Wednesday, the new measures include requiring all cargo ship crew members to stay on board while the ship is in Hong Kong waters. Incoming flight crews must possess a negative Covid-19 test from within 48 prior to their arrival. Airlines must also arrange point to point private transport for crew traveling between the airport and their accommodation, and ensure that the crew self-isolate.
On Sunday Hong Kong reported another 128 cases, the fifth straight day of results in the triple figures.
On Saturday Hong Kong confirmed a record 133 cases of Covid-19 were under investigation, all but seven of them locally transmitted.
It included one student living in a University of Hong Kong hall of residence. One roommate had returned a preliminary positive test result, and another with symptoms was waiting for a result.
“For the University of Hong Kong residential hall, because they are living on the same floor, they share bathrooms and toilets, there are around 10 to 20 students there, so we plan to put them under quarantine,” head of the centre for health protection, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan said.
