Henry Tang will miss Two Sessions after driver's Covid infection

Henry Tang Ying-yen, Hong Kong's delegate to Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, will be absent from this year's Two Sessions after his driver was confirmed with Covid-19.

His driver tested positive for the coronavirus and is now under quarantine. Family members of two secretaries in his office were also infected. 

Tang said he tested negative with a rapid test kit. But he is considered a close contact of the three staff members.

For the sake of prudence, he will stay in Hong Kong and take a leave from the Two Sessions.

It is understood that Beijing has allowed Hong Kong delegates to the National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference to attend the two-week meetings to begin on March 4.

However, they are required to undergo hotel quarantine in Shenzhen for seven days before going to Beijing, as the Covid-19 outbreak in Hong Kong is much more severe compared to other mainland cities.

It was understood that several of the tycoons may not attend the meetings to avoid bringing risks to themselves, and to support anti-epidemic work in Hong Kong.

The 84-year-old former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, who is also CPPCC's deputy chairman, will also not attend the Two Sessions as he will be resting at home. Tung underwent a surgery last September.

Victor Li Tzar-kuoi, the chairman and managing director of CK Asset Holdings, last Saturday pulled out of a virtual meeting held by Luo Huining, director of the central government's Liaison Office in Hong Kong, after he reported having symptoms including “light coughing” and “hoarseness in his voice”.

He tested negative afterwards, but is expected to skip the Two Sessions as well.