The mutant virus Omicron has entered the Hong Kong community. The Secretary for Food and Health, Sophia Chan, said on the radio program this morning (17th) that citizens are vaccinated, cooperate with the announcement of forced inspection, and find out the transmission chain, so that the virus will not spread. Only by reducing the flow of people and large-scale gatherings are there conditions for citizens to return to normal life after the Lunar New Year.
She also pointed out that she understands that the public needs to organize New Year's goods, and appeals to the public to shorten the shopping time, which is believed to help reduce congestion.
▼On January 14, the government announced that the ban on dine-in in the evening market was extended to February 3 on the third day of the new year▼
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Chen Zhaoshi said that although the current daily confirmed cases have dropped to single digits, he emphasized that the epidemic is not completely under control, and there are still potential transmission chains. Yesterday, there was a new case of unknown origin with the Delta variant virus, which is surprising. Do more tracing to find the source of the infection.
She believes that at this stage, it is necessary to get vaccinated as soon as possible, undergo mandatory testing as required, and identify transmission chains so that Omicron will not spread in the community. She also uses extended social distancing measures to avoid large gatherings and reduce the flow of people in the community. She hopes to return to normal after the Lunar New Year. Life.
Seeing that the "Safe Travel" of Tuen Mun residents has recently received multiple infection control notices, Chen Zhaoshi said that if the test has been done within 24 hours, there is no need to repeat it, but he appeals to the public to follow the mandatory testing requirements as much as possible. .
She said that "do it today and do it again today" because the virus has an incubation period, but said that she will try to make the arrangement practical and feasible, and also take into account risk management.
Regarding the fact that many citizens have recently gone out to buy New Year's flowers and organize New Year's goods, Chen said that the FEHD and the police have stepped up inspections, such as dispatching flyers to hot spots where there are many people, and places where foreign domestic helpers gather, and asking not to gather. There are plans for peak days. Crowd control will be implemented.
She said that she understands that the public needs to organize New Year's gifts, but she appeals to try to shorten the time, which is believed to be helpful to the congestion problem.
Chen Zhaoshi.
(File photo / Photo by Lu Yiming)
Seeing that there have been 6 confirmed cases in the Silka Seaview Hotel in Yau Ma Tei, Chen Zhaoshi said that the authorities have taken environmental samples at the hotel and asked hotel guests staying near the confirmed cases to extend the quarantine period. After inspection, it was found that the hotel was clean. Disinfection, crowd separation, sampling, etc. all meet the requirements, and it is believed that this incident does not constitute a need to stop its use as a quarantine hotel.
A 43-year-old Pakistani (#13045) housewife tested positive. The patient had been quarantined at Silka Seaview Hotel, Yau Ma Tei.
(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
As for the "vaccine bubble" that will be extended to catering premises and listed premises next month, Chen Zhaoshi said that the OGCIO is making technical changes for safe travel, hoping to recognize and avoid long queues when entering the premises.
She also pointed out that in the future, the "vaccine bubble" will extend to schools, LCSD facilities, etc.
In addition, the government has updated the quarantine period requirements for close contacts of locally infected cases in quarantine centres, shortening the quarantine period for those who have been vaccinated from 21 days to 14 days.
Chen Zhaoshi said that according to the literature and other local developments, the incubation period of Omicron is short, and the quarantine period can be shortened from the perspective of risk; Long-term inspection is more secure.
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