Government workers are clearing the street in the Jordan area on January 25th.
Photographer: Chan Long Hei / Bloomberg
Photographer: Chan Long Hei / Bloomberg
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Hong Kong has signaled several roadblocks in the future, after considering its first measure, imposed on an area of Kowloon over the weekend, to detect 13 new cases.
The blockade, which affected 10,000 people, was in place for two days in the Yau Ma Tei and Jordan areas of Kowloon, where about 7,000 people were tested.
The order was effective in identifying infected patients and their rapid isolation and close contact, Food and Health Secretary Sophia Chan said in a media briefing on Sunday. “If there is such a need, we obviously do not rule out the possibility of a future operation like this,” she said.
The unprecedented operation was announced early Saturday hours before it took effect and involved more than 3,000 government officers from 16 departments. Residents were not allowed to leave the area until the test was completed, although those with negative test results were allowed to leave on Sunday evening.
Before media reports a more severe blockade was released on Friday, leading to a 1.6% lower Hang Seng index, its biggest drop in nearly two months. The South China Morning Post said the move would impact tens of thousands of people and even include parts of Sham Shui Po, but later downplayed its report.
The move is a departure for a city that resisted a more aggressive stance earlier in the pandemic, although it is still fading compared to the blockades in mainland China, where people are sometimes barred from leaving cities, districts or even their apartment complexes.
A resident is leaving the blockade zone in Jordan, allowed with a negative Covid-19 test on January 24th.
Photographer: Chan Long Hei / Bloomberg
A government statement issued early Monday morning expressed the hope that “this temporary inconvenience will completely reduce local transmission chains in the district and alleviate the concerns and fears of residents.”
Between January 1-20, a total of 162 positive cases were registered in the blockade area, involving 56 buildings, the statement said.
“The government will use this restriction with the mandatory test order, when necessary,” Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at a briefing on Saturday. Officials will improve the way they communicate on such plans, including the timing of the announcements, Lam said, adding that he will not rule out that action will be taken again.