Empty Roads, Closed Malls Turn HK Into Ghost Town

Hong Kong, which is known for its connectivity and bustling shopping centres, resembled a ghost town in many areas on Saturday, with streets usually heaving with activities on a weekend deserted with hardly a soul around.

The streets of the city, which usually empty only when severe typhoon warnings are issued, were deserted as the political storm that has engulfed the government entered a new phase.

The Carrie Lam administration's decision to invoke colonial-era emergency regulations and enact a law to ban face masks during protests was met with protests across the city overnight, with many MTR facilities, banks and businesses linked to the mainland getting smashed.

In a video message on Saturday, a grim-faced Lam condemned the "the extreme acts of the rioters brought dark hours to Hong Kong" which she said has left society "half paralysed".

But with the rail operator in an unprecedented decision shutting down its entire network, the paralysis was felt acutely as the day wore on. Buses and mini buses were the only means of getting around as taxis became scarce.

In a statement issued at 9.50 pm, the rail operator said it was still assessing safety conditions and did not to say when its services would resume.

Adding to the crippled transport links, many major shopping malls remained closed while one popular supermarket chain decided to close for the whole day. This was followed by 7-11, the all-day round corner shops that many Hong Kong residents depend on, saying they will end business by 5 pm.

Adding to the extraordinary events, several banks in one of the busiest financial centres in the world said they would also stay closed. Long lines were seen at some ATMs and social media posts talked about some machines running out of currency. But in a statement, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and association of banks assured the public there was enough cash to go round and not to believe rumours.

Even as business and trade ground to a halt and many people were forced to stay at home due to a lack of transport, hundreds of protesters managed to hold rallies and marches in key areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, with most of the demonstrators wearing masks in defiance of a law that came into force at midnight on Friday.

But the eerie scenes of the main areas were in contrast to some district like Yuen Long where protesters set up barricades on main thoroughfares and blocked traffic.

Dozens of protesters occupied Castle Peak Road in Yuen Long singing and chanting anti-government slogans. Several dozen protesters also blocked Lung Cheung Road at Wong Tai Sin, throwing “hell money”. Barricades were also put up on Nathan Road in Mong Kok.

At many protest sites, one chant that was repeated was "See you at Victoria Park tomorrow", signalling more turbulence as the agitation completes its 18th weekend.