As daily COVID-19 infections remained high, Hong Kong announced an array of measures on Monday afternoon in order to control the worsening epidemic situation with more entertainment venues to be closed and heavier punishment for violations of social distancing and other restrictions in the pipeline.
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam unveiled the new policies at a press conference and stressed that the local COVID-19 situation was still severe.
Among the stricter measures, for 14 days starting Wednesday, are that amusement arcades, karaoke lounges, mahjong parlors and swimming pools will be closed, and that the number of diners at each table of restaurants will be capped at two. Public gatherings of more than two people will also be prohibited.
The HKSAR government also plans to significantly increase the current 2,000-Hong Kong-dollar (258-U.S.-dollar) fine for people violating social distancing rules.
Lam said the local government staff, except those providing urgent and necessary services, will start to work at home, and called on private and public employers also to allow remote working.
The new measures came as 115 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported on Sunday, the highest notch in nearly four months. The daily increase retreated mildly to 76 with the majority being local infections on Monday.
Lam stressed the severity of the new round of epidemic outbreak and said the increasing number of infections with unknown origins pointed to the existence of invisible transmission chains in the community.
To stop the coronavirus spread, the government will step up efforts to screen COVID-19 patients, including putting into operation five more testing centers in the community. Three quarantine centers that were closed will reopen, and the government will arrange two hotels for close contacts of confirmed patients.
Hong Kong's COVID-19 tally accumulated to more than 6,300 by Tuesday.
