Central govt offers 'all necessary support' for HK's virus fight

HONG KONG - Hong Kong politicians on Saturday said the central government has offered Hong Kong "all necessary support" in its continuing battle to stem the spread of the severe coronavirus outbreak.

Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress (DAB) of Hong Kong Chairwoman Starry Lee Wai-king said that the central government attached great importance to the health of Hong Kong people. It would, therefore, provide all necessary support for the SAR to combat the epidemic, including medical supplies, testing and retrofitting the AsiaWorldExpo into a "mobile cabin hospital".

Lee and other political heavyweights made the remarks after a meeting with the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government for the Special Administrative Region (SAR).

On Saturday, Hong Kong reported 133 new coronavirus infections, resetting its single-day record for the fourth time in a row. The city's tally and death toll have risen to 2,505 and 18, respectively. Over 40 percent of the city's confirmed cases were recorded in the past two weeks.

At a media briefing, the DAB and the Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) said the liaison office pledged to work with the city on measures to contain the latest outbreak as it called on the Hong Kong public to raise awareness and comply with anti-epidemic measures.

FTU President Stanley Ng Chau-pei urged the Hong Kong community to unite against any "political agenda and industry prejudice" that could delay resources and harm the interests of local residents.

Earlier, some local medical groups had issued statements opposing the proposed aid from the Chinese mainland citing differences in"practicing qualifications" between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

In a rebuke, FTU legislator Alice Mak Mei-kuen said the central government has sent medical teams to help various countries and regions around the world. It is time to put aside political prejudice and protectionism and prioritize the lives and health of our citizens, she added.

Mak said support from the central authorities can alleviate public anxiety and fear in Hong Kong. She noted that the local public health system was under tremendous pressure as some residents reported that they failed to obtain sampling bottles for tests in time, or did not gain hospital admittance on confirmation of infection.

DAB legislator Ben Chan Han-pan said that the Hong Kong government should also develop further plans in case the already-strained local health system was overwhelmed. For example, the government could ask medical staff from the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital to help their Hong Kong counterparts.

The Hong Kong government should also work with mainland authorities to introduce a "health code" certification system that could allow Hong Kong residents living on the mainland to return to the city to vote in the Sept 6 Legislative Council elections, said Chan.