DAB Welcomes Beijing's Help To Contain The Virus

DAB chairwoman Starry Lee on Friday welcomed news that mainland officials overseeing Hong Kong's affairs will help with anti-epidemic efforts here, saying it shows Beijing's care for the SAR.

Health Secretary Sophia Chan confirmed during a Legco meeting that the SAR government will be meeting with mainland authorities this weekend to discuss the outbreak here, and may request assistance with testing and facilities.

Lee said help from the mainland is much needed amid the worsening outbreak in Hong Kong.

“We’re facing a very serious challenge in terms of the manpower and testing ability. Therefore, with the help and advice from the experts from the central authority, we believe that they’ll be able to give valuable advice for Hong Kong to move forward,” she said.

The lawmaker added that she hopes mainland authorities can help boost Hong Kong’s daily testing capacity by setting up more laboratories and sending at least 1,000 staff to the city. That, she said, can enable the SAR to carry out territory-wide testing within a week.

Lee also called on mainland authorities to help build a makeshift hospital here to treat and isolate Covid patients.

Her comment was echoed by Anthony Wu, chairman of Sunrise Diagnostic Centre, which provides Covid testing services in Hong Kong.

He said the mainland can send medical teams to the city to take care of Covid patients with mild symptoms.