Government employees will clean the street in the Jordan region on January 25.
Photographer: Chan Long Hei / Bloomberg
Photographer: Chan Long Hei / Bloomberg
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Hong Kong has signaled more lockdowns in the future after considering its first such measure, imposed on an area of Kowloon over the weekend, successfully detecting 13 new cases.
The lockdown, which affected 10,000 people, was in effect for two days in the Yau Ma Tei and Jordan areas of Kowloon, where approximately 7,000 residents were tested.
The order was effective in identifying infected patients and quickly isolating them and their close contacts, Food and Health Minister Sophia Chan said at a news conference Sunday. “Obviously, if there is such a need, we don’t rule out the possibility of a future surgery like this,” she said.
The unprecedented operation was announced Saturday hours before it took effect and involved more than 3,000 government officials from 16 departments. Residents were not allowed to leave the area until the test was completed, although those with a negative test result were allowed to leave from Sunday evening.
earlier media reports of a more severe lockdown were released on Friday, pushing the Hang Seng Index down 1.6%, the largest drop in nearly two months. The South China Morning Post said the move would affect tens of thousands and even include parts of Sham Shui Po, but later the report was scaled back.
The measure is a departure to a city that previously resisted a more aggressive stance during the pandemic, though it still pales in comparison to the lockdowns passed in mainland China, where people sometimes gain access to cities, districts or even their apartment complexes.
A resident leaves the lockdown area in Jordan, allowed a negative Covid-19 test on Jan. 24.
Photographer: Chan Long Hei / Bloomberg
A government statement released early Monday morning hope that “this temporary inconvenience will completely cut through local transmission chains in the neighborhood and alleviate residents’ concerns and fears.”
From Jan. 1-20, a total of 162 positive cases were registered within the closed area, involving 56 buildings, the statement said.
“The government will use this restriction with a mandatory testing order if necessary,” Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at a briefing on Saturday. Officials will improve the way they communicate about such plans, including the timing of announcements, Lam said, adding that she will not rule out the possibility of the measure being taken again.