Carrie Lam Defends Park Reopening Amid Virus Curbs

The Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, has sought to play down concerns over why the authorities are allowing Ocean Park to reopen – but refuse to grant approval to rallies – repeating that the only reason behind the decision is public health.

The theme park in Aberdeen is allowed to reopen on Saturday, although social distancing measures imposed over the Covid-19 outbreak will be in effect still.

Last week, police cited the restriction on gatherings to deny permission for the annual Tiananmen massacre vigil at Victoria Park.

Asked about this before the weekly Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, Lam said a prohibition on gatherings of more than eight people does not mean that all kinds of activities are banned.

"No matter it's a theme park, a movie theatre or a supermarket...there can be many people going in at the same time. But that doesn't mean they belong to a group, they are just going there individually to watch movies, shop or to have fun," she explained.

She added that there are other measures in place for those businesses, such as restricting the number of people inside, to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

The theme park will also have restrictions in place, like on the number of people allowed to go in, the CE pointed out, although she admitted the crowd can come from everywhere.

But the case is different, Lam said, if someone organises or calls on more than eight people to head to the same place.

"There is no contradiction," the top Hong Kong official said.