Virus Curbs Stay, But Religious Gatherings Exempted

The government said on Tuesday that it plans to conduct more coronavirus tests in Hong Kong, as it announced an extension of social distancing measures until June 4, while exempting religious gatherings from a ban on more than eight people assembling together.

The restrictions, to prevent the spread of Covid-19, were due to expire on Thursday.

But the officials played down questions as to whether the 14-day extension was influenced by politics, as it will prevent the annual vigil the city has held for decades to remember those killed at Tiananmen Square during the student uprising in 1989.

The relaxation move to allow the faithful to gather at places like churches, temples and mosques will come into effect on Friday. But people won't be allowed to eat or drink at places of worship.

Bathhouses, partyrooms, nightclubs and karaokes will have to remain closed for another week until May 28.

The Home Affairs Secretary, Caspar Tsui, said religious leaders have agreed that places of worship will implement precautionary measures, like limiting the number of people to less than half the venue's capacity.

Health Secretary Sophia Chan said the limit on other gatherings is being extended due to a cluster of local Covid-19 infections in Tsuen Wan last week. She said it showed there is still invisible transmission of the virus in the community.

The move means an annual June 4 vigil led by pro-democracy groups can’t be held at Victoria Park for the first time three decades. Tens of thousands of people usually attend the event.

Macau, the only other place in China where a similar but smaller event used to be held, had earlier this month cancelled permission this year, citing a technicality.

But Chan dismissed allegations that political considerations are involved. She said the decision was purely based on the risks of holding such social activities.

“This is the main consideration that we are putting in and there are no other considerations in social distancing measures,” the secretary said.

She added that more tests would be done in the community to detect any asymptomatic Covid-19 patients. She said currently authorities can carry out up to 4,500 tests per day, but they have to keep some of this capacity in reserve in case there are a large number of possible cases.

The health chief said the government plans to start testing care home workers for the coronavirus. The target is to carry out tests on 3,000 of them this month.

Airport staff will also be tested for the coronavirus. Bottles to collect saliva samples will also be distributed at 18 Chinese medicine clinics.

The city’s overall tally remains at 1,055 cases, with four deaths.