Expert: Don't Relax Social Distancing Measures Yet

An infectious disease expert has called on the government not to relax social distancing measures until mass testing in the community has been completed amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Dr Joseph Tsang said he expects to see around 20 cases a day in September, with about half picked up by mass testing.

Speaking to an RTHK radio programme, Tsang also said the authorities should only lift the restrictions when the city starts recording single-digit cases daily.

He warned that it could be "embarrassing" for the government if it lifted control measures before finding out how many asymptomatic virus carriers are in the community.

“I strongly urge the government to allow the cases come down first before they consider lifting up all these kinds of social distancing measures. It is more reasonable to do it in this way, otherwise the government will be very embarrassed," he said.

“With such double digits of new cases, it is more safe to have those social distancing measures relaxed or lift up until all these cases (can) be isolated and (are) being treated.”

He acknowledged that the Covid-19 situation in Hong Kong has improved, with the city recording only nine cases on Monday. But he noted that cases where there is no known source account for around 40 percent of the daily confirmed cases.

Tsang made the comments as the government prepares to announce plans for social distancing measures on Tuesday afternoon.