Proceed with caution on further easing of Covid rules as imported cases rise; John Lee

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday said Hong Kong should proceed with caution on the further easing of Covid rules and that a gradual approach was necessary with the number of imported cases rising once again.  

At the same time, he said many social and economic activities have gradually resumed since the SAR implemented the “0+3” quarantine scheme, with many international events being held in the city.  

Lee said the measure had yielded positive results, however, he said he understood citizens’ desire for the “0+0” rule, where authorities would roll out new measures according to the development of the city’s Covid situation.  

Speaking ahead of his weekly Executive Council meeting, the Hong Kong leader said that since the “0+3” rule kicked in, airport traffic had increased, with passenger volume increasing by 1.5 times from last month.  

He believed the number would keep surging with airliners hiring more staffers, calling on Hongkongers to have faith in the city.  

Meanwhile, Lee also noted an increase in imported cases that comes with the “0+3” rule, with the proportion of the cases now taking up to 5 percent of the total case tally from the previous 2.7 percent.  

The average number of severe diseases and death from Covid last week also went up by 28 percent and 20 percent, respectively, when compared to the previous week, he said.  

Lee stressed that Hong Kong must play it safe with the easing of its anti-epidemic measures, especially when the emergence of a new mutant Covid strain could be possible.