HK extends social distancing measures till May 7

HONG KONG - Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Tuesday said the existing social distancing measures, including the ban on gathering of more than four people, will be extended for another 14 days to May 7, despite the steady decline in daily new coronavirus cases in past weeks.

There was no new case recorded on Monday after eight straight days of low single-digit increases. Hong Kong's tally of COVID-19 infections stood at 1,025 as of Monday evening.

Lam said that Hong Kong still needs to remain vigilant, otherwise what has been achieved so far might be undermined.

Meanwhile, the virus tests will be required for those about to finish their home quarantine.

Those under home isolation will need to submit their deep throat saliva samples to the health authorities two days before the end of their 14-day quarantine.

All existing social distancing measures, except the cap on the number of customers that eateries could serve, would remain despite the steady fall in daily new coronavirus cases, Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee said.

Those measures that are still in force include restrictions on restaurants' dine-in service and temporary closure of karaoke lounges, night clubs, mahjong parlors, beauty parlors, gyms and some other entertainment venues.

Meeting the press on Tuesday, Chan said the recent decline in daily infection cases indicated that the government disease prevention and control measures were producing results. She also expressed gratitude to public cooperation and frontline medical workers.

In view of the spread of the pandemic overseas, the government has decided to extend Hong Kong's preventive measures to minimize the risk of a fresh round of outbreak, she explained.

In addition, starting from Wednesday, the government will send arrivals at the airport in the afternoon or evening to Regal Oriental Hotel, temporarily rented by the government, to stay overnight while waiting for their virus test results, Chan added.