Carrie Lam: Insisting on "dynamic zero clearance" is most in line with the actual situation in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, 8 Feb (Xinhua) -- Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said on the 8th that the SAR government's anti-epidemic work is based on the principle of precision and focus, and resources must be used properly. She believes that Hong Kong should adhere to the "dynamic zero clearance" strategy and buy time to increase the COVID-19 vaccination rate.

Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, at a press conference on February 4. Profile photo

When Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor met with the media before attending the Executive Council on the same day, she said that the SAR government must adhere to its concept of fighting the epidemic, otherwise it will swing left and right, and even change the situation of changing orders at the moment. She pointed out that insisting on "dynamic zero clearance" is most in line with the actual situation in Hong Kong.

She stressed that the reality is that although Hong Kong has been carrying out vaccination programmes for nearly a year, the vaccination rate of the elderly is still not high, and if they are infected with the highly transmitted Omilon strain, there is a risk of severe illness or death, which will bring unbearable pressure to Hong Kong's public hospitals, thus making the medical system precarious. Therefore, Hong Kong must speed up vaccination under the premise of "dynamic clearance".

In response to claims that "dynamic zeroing" involves huge economic and social costs, Carrie Lam reiterated that it is more in the public interest to protect human lives, health and health systems from collapsing.

She said that in the past two years, the HKSAR Government has acted in accordance with the strategy of preventing imports from abroad and preventing proliferation from home, during which time it has moderately adjusted its epidemic prevention and anti-epidemic measures in response to the development of the epidemic, so that Hong Kong can safely survive the four waves of the epidemic. In response to the new wave of the epidemic, the HKSAR Government is constantly speeding up and increasing its capacity in various aspects such as testing, isolation and treatment, but the resources are not unlimited and must be used as much as they want.

She said it is also very important for the public to support and cooperate in the fight against the epidemic. She urged the public to stay at home and avoid cross-family gatherings, pay attention to personal hygiene, pay attention to the information issued by the HKSAR Government, and do more rapid testing for those who have concerns.

Carrie Lam also mentioned that the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council has conveyed to her the central government's concerns and greetings regarding the current epidemic situation in Hong Kong, as well as encouragement and support for the SAR government.

Editor-in-Charge: Zhao Jiahao

Source: 36 Xinhua News Agency