Editorial | Follow the advice of coronavirus experts for our children’s sake
- As Hong Kong enters a four-day holiday, the public must continue to observe social-distancing rules in order to avoid another virus outbreak and further suffering
Hong Kong has been where it finds itself now with Covid-19 before, only to retreat behind restrictions reimposed to curb a renewed spread of the disease.
It is a familiar pattern. The daily tally of infections trends downwards, often with no locally acquired or untraceable cases. Confidence in a reduced if not minimal risk from contagion spreads. Pressure builds on the government for relaxation of disruptive anti-infection measures.
The authorities cave in, albeit selectively, only for a cluster of positive tests heralding a new wave of infections to destroy a growing sense of security.
With the global death toll now exceeding 1 million, Hong Kong has escaped the worst. But it is potentially exposed again, and the city is at risk of lowering its guard as it enters a four-day holiday weekend. It is not the time to relax vigilance, but to reinforce it. Nine new cases yesterday and one in a home for the elderly are a reminder of that.
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China’s Wuhan moves on as global coronavirus death toll passes 1 million
Authorities have sent mixed signals, easing the social-distancing rules for religious gatherings and team sports from tomorrow, but not other measures such as mandatory mask wearing in public indoor and outdoor areas, social distancing in restaurants and bans on groups of more than four people.
