Calling the fifth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong "extremely severe", Chan Zhaoshi: tomorrow announced the tightening of social distancing measures

Chen Zhaoshi pointed out that consideration should be given to tightening social distancing measures to control the epidemic. Infographic

The fifth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong has continued to worsen, with more than 300 confirmed cases recorded in two consecutive days, a new high in two years. The Secretary for Food and Health of Hong Kong, Mr Chan Siu-chiu, pointed out that in view of the extreme severity of the epidemic, he would actively consider tightening social distancing measures and announced the details after tomorrow's Executive Council, with the general direction of reducing the flow of people and controlling the epidemic.

Speaking on a radio programme, Chan said that the current epidemic situation in Hong Kong is extremely severe, with confirmed and unorganized cases rising, while sewage monitoring has tested positive in different regions, reflecting that the current cases of Omicron have begun to rise geometrically at the time of the spread of the epidemic, and the authorities will actively consider tightening social distancing measures, the details will be announced after tomorrow's Executive Council, and the general direction of measures is to reduce the flow of people.

Chan also said that based on foreign experience, Omicron infection cases are rising rapidly and have a strong dispersal force, so they must race against the virus in a race against the clock, and called on the public to stay at home to fight the epidemic, vaccinate and promote testing of people at risk, and she also called on domestic helpers to arrange for employees to stay at home as much as possible.