- Title: Hong Kong tightens social distancing again as coronavirus cases rise
- Date: 13th July 2020
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (JULY 13, 2020) (REUTERS) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE CARRIE LAM WALKING INTO NEWS CONFERENCE LAM AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARRIE LAM, SAYING: "From the information from the World Health Organisation as well as local experts, unless we have an effective vaccine which can be widely used in the community, we may need to co-exist with the virus for a period of time." LAM AND OTHER OFFICIALS SEATED AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARRIE LAM, SAYING: "As of today, Hong Kong has a total of 1,522 confirmed cases. As I have mentioned just now, the resurgence of the virus outbreak began roughly in early July. Within these eights days, from July 6 till today, there is a total of 253 new confirmed cases. On average, we have an increase of over 30 new confirmed cases every day." PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PICTURES (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARRIE LAM, SAYING: "But you will recall that in the last five, six months, whenever we talked about this subject, we said we were in a situation of a three-way tug of war. One is we have to take account of the latest public health situation. Secondly, it's the economic impact. Thirdly, it's the social acceptability of the people. So I think based on what we have seen in the last seven or eight days about the re-emergence of the local cases and the spread and the diversity of these local cases, this is the time for tightening." LAM AND OTHER OFFICIALS AT NEWS CONFERENCE BANNER READING (Chinese/English): "Together, we fight the virus" LAM AND OTHER OFFICIALS LEAVING THE NEWS CONFERENCE PEDESTRIANS AND POLICE OFFICERS WALKING IN HONG KONG'S WESTERN DISTRICT PEDESTRIANS WALKING IN FRONT OF PARKED POLICE VEHICLES CUSTOMERS WEARING MASK AND BUYING PRODUCTS FROM OUTDOOR STALL (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) 60-YEAR-OLD HONG KONG RESIDENT AND WRITER, DANNY MOK SAYING: "First one: Restaurants closing early, that's reasonable enough I suppose. Because a lot of recent virus cases were found in restaurants in particular, which it means restaurants are high risk areas and it's best to avoid too many people congregating there." PEOPLE WEARING MASKS AS THEY WALK ON CROWDED SIDEWALK STREET CLEANERS WEARING MASKS SPRAYING THE SIDEWALK PEOPLE WEARING MASKS WALKING ON SIDEWALK (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) 33-YEAR-OLD HONG KONG RESIDENT AND TRAVEL INDUSTRY WORKER RONALD LEUNG, SAYING: "(I'm worried) as currently the outbreak is growing and it's local. Many people who may not know they have the virus and are in the incubation period may go to restaurants or supermarkets and pass the virus to other people. So I am quite worried about the outbreak." PEDESTRIAN WALKING WEARING FACE MASK TRAFFIC MOVING TRAM
- Embargoed: 27th July 2020 16:41
- Keywords: China Covid-19 Disney Disneyland Hong Kong coronavirus social distancing
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA001CMN5HS7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Hong Kong will tighten social distancing measures again from Wednesday (July 13) amid growing worries about a third wave of coronavirus infections, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said.
The government will limit group gatherings to four people - down from 50 - a measure last seen during a second wave in March.
Twelve types of establishments, including gyms and gaming centers, must shut down for a week. Restaurants will only be allowed to give out takeaway after 6.00 p.m.
The Chinese-ruled city recorded 52 new cases of coronavirus on Monday, including 41 that were locally transmitted, health authorities said. Since late January, Hong Kong has reported 1,522 cases and local media reported an eighth death on Monday.
"Unless we have an effective vaccine which can be widely used in the community, we may need to co-exist with the virus for a period of time," Lam told a news conference on Monday.
The measures were the result of a three-way tug of war between considerations related to public health, economic impact and social acceptability, she said.
Lam also said civil servants will work flexible hours and that wearing face masks will be mandatory on public transport.
Walt Disney Co. also announced on Monday (July 13) that it is temporarily closing its Hong Kong Disneyland theme park from July 15 amid rising coronavirus cases in the Chinese-ruled city.
The announcement came two days after Disney reopened its biggest resort, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, as coronavirus cases surged in the state.
Earlier on Monday, the organizer of the Hong Kong Book Fair, which draws about one million visitors annually, said the event due to start on Wednesday (July 15) will be postponed to a later, unspecified date due to the coronavirus.
Hong Kong's Education Bureau on Friday announced the suspension of all schools from this week.
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