Hong Kong reimposes restrictions due to Covid-19

The city will return to the strict measures introduced in spring due to a rise in the number of infections.

Hong Kong.- Strict Covid-19 restrictions have been reintroduced due to a rise in the number of infections.

Amid an agreement to create a travel bubble with Singapore, the authorities in Hong Kong have taken the decision to return to the strictest level of measures seen at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

While measures throughout the year helped to keep infections to just over 6,000 in a city of 7.5 million, with only 109 deaths, daily cases have risen above 100 in recent days.

The city’s 170,000 civil servants will work from home unless their job is considered essential and private businesses have been asked to follow suit where possible.

Public gatherings will be reduced to a maximum of two people, down from four, with restaurants able to serve a maximum of two people per table.

Schools, bars and nightclubs had already been ordered to close but the new restrictions now include most other entertainment venues, such as karaoke rooms, amusement parks and mahjong parlours.

Gyms and beauty parlours can remain open but with stricter limits on people per venue or class.

Chief executive Carrie Lam said in a press conference: “This new wave of Covid-19 has hit Hong Kong very quickly”.