Vice Premier Han Zheng warns against 'war weariness' towards Covid

Hong Kong should not become weary of the war against Covid-19, said Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng who promises full support from the central government. 

In a meeting with Hong Kong delegates to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on Sunday, Han also called upon private hospitals to join the fight against the coronavirus. 

The delegates met Han and Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office chief Xia Baolong during the "two sessions" in Beijing. The meeting took more than an hour, during which Han spoke primarily about the epidemic in Hong Kong. 

So Cheung-wing, one of the delegates attending the meeting, said Han conveyed the message that Beijing offers its full support to the city's anti-epidemic work and takes in all its requests for help. 

The central government will ensure stable supply of food and products to Hong Kong, so that citizens' lives won't be seriously affected by the pandemic. 

Beijing will also help deploy manpower and equipment to support Covid-19 testing – “to give as many (resources) as requested by Hong Kong”, So quoted Han to have said. 

He was also concerned about the elderly and children, saying work should be done to reduce severe cases and deaths. 

Another delegate Thomas Pang Cheung-wai said Han called upon private hospitals to join the fight.

The vice premier said all hospitals joined the effort when the outbreak broke out in Wuhan, and it's inappropriate if Hong Kong private hospitals stay out of it. 

Han's comments came after Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said in a statement last night that execution of anti-epidemic measures has outgrown the SAR government’s own capability. 

She said the government is deeply grateful to the central government for its support.