Govt Urged To Step Up Infection Control Before CNY

An infectious disease expert has called on the government to further tighten social-distancing rules in light of a resurgence of Covid-19 cases, and implement crowd control measures in shopping malls in anticipation of the Chinese New Year next month.

Speaking on an RTHK programme on Tuesday, Leung Chi-chiu said authorities should consider discussing with shopping malls on whether new year sales could be avoided, and what could be done to control the number of shoppers or to divert them.

"We are mainly concerned that, in weekends, especially during Chinese New Year, more and more people would gather," he said.

Leung said it's obvious that there's been a coronavirus rebound for six days now, with the number of new cases exceeding a hundred on Monday, and the number of infections with no known sources in the past seven days being 50 percent higher than the week before.

He said the government should also think about how to spread out the crowds at Lunar New Year fairs, also known as "flower markets", traditionally held before the new year.

The administration had said this year's fairs will be cancelled, but reports quoting sources said officials are considering going ahead with the events following complaints from vendors.

Leung also said he noticed a lot of people are still gathering in the countryside, where some were seen taking off their masks to take photos or to picnic.

He said the government may consider cancelling exemption for mask-wearing during exercise and in country parks, and try to ensure people stay 1.5 metres apart when they eat or drink.