District Councils, Doctors Join Call For Restraint

Medical groups and all 18 district councils have called on people to stay at home as much as possible in the coming weeks, as the number of Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong continues to rise.

The groups said they understand people are getting a little tired in the fight against the virus, but say now is not the time for people to let their guard down.

They say those without a mask should not be allowed on public transport, and that social gatherings such as banquets should be restricted.

But Kwong Po-yin, vice chair of both the Frontline Doctors’ Union and Kowloon City District Council, said legislation to ban social gatherings isn’t needed yet.

“I think as a Hongkonger we will take our own responsibility and stay at home and avoid gatherings and try to fight against the disease together," she said.

Ho Chung-ping, the president of the Medical Association, suggested employers try to space out the rest days of domestic helpers so that they don’t gather in large groups, saying otherwise there will be a risk of infection across many families.

“We just point out this danger,” he said.

“You cannot stop from going out and then getting together, but what we suggest is they try to reduce these large crowd gatherings," he said.

Ho said instead of giving all of them off on Sunday, maybe employers give them free days on different week days.