Onus Now On People To Stop The Covid Spread: Experts

Infectious disease experts say despite tougher measures unveiled by the Hong Kong government to contain the outbreak of coronavirus cases in the city, the onus now is on the people to take preventive measures and bring the situation under control.

They urged people to implement strict anti-epidemic measures like staying at home as far as possible, wearing masks and avoiding all social gatherings to rein in the spread.

Professor David Hui from the Chinese University say people had let their guards down in recent days, warning that the city's public hospitals will be under immense pressure if the number of new Covid-19 cases reaches three digits every day.

Hui told an RTHK radio programme on Monday that the number of new cases could drop within a week if anti-epidemic measures are tightened.

He said that the government taking the lead in allowing civil servants to work from home was important as it would mean a number of private organisations would follow suit, and that this would mean fewer people using public transport during peak hours which will also help cut the chain of transmission.

Hui also urged people to avoid going out, and to pay for things electronically as much as possible when they do go out shopping.

Hong Kong University microbiologist Ho Pak-leung also urged people to not just wear masks but also limit how often they go out socially, adding that if people don't try to stay home as much as possible then there could be another large outbreak.

He also warned that the number of quarantine centre units is in tight supply after the government confirmed that there were only 196 available for immediate use.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Sunday that the government is planning to build another 2,000 quarantine units in Lantau, saying experts have warned that there is a possibility of another Covid wave during the winter season.