The government has gradually relaxed social distancing measures since April 21. Sports venues, fitness centers, beauty salons, theme parks, and theaters will be the first to reopen, and restaurants will resume dine-in dinners until 10 p.m., with 4 people per serving.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Chen Zhaoshi, said today (16th) that this time, social distancing measures are relaxed in a gradual, orderly and phased manner. Based on the current vaccination rate, after balancing public health risks and economic development needs, the overall risk is considered controllable. .
Chen Zhaoshi expected the epidemic to rebound after the relaxation of measures, but the government is confident that the risks can be controlled and rehearsed different scenarios.
Chen Zhaoshi emphasized that the government has not given up "mandatory testing for all", but it depends on the timing and ability, and will be announced when the time is right. The current priority of the government is the "three reductions", that is, reducing deaths, severe illness and infection.
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The forecast will follow up depending on the extent of the rebound
Chen Zhaoshi said that he is very worried about the rebound of the epidemic. He pointed out that social distancing measures have not been relaxed at present. Many citizens have gone out during the Easter long holiday. From the perspective of infectious disease risk, the flow of people is often "deadly". Go to crowded places.
However, she pointed out that the government will ensure that the risk of the epidemic is under control, and the next step will be taken depending on whether the rebound is a normal fluctuation or a sudden surge.
Regarding the cinema occupancy rate cap of 50%, Chen Zhaoshi pointed out that the industry believes that it is not enough. He emphasized that the relaxation of social distancing measures this time is gradual and orderly, and the government is trying its best to relax the measures first.
As for the bar that has not yet opened, Chen Zhaoshi said that if the epidemic does not rebound, the bar is expected to resume business in the next stage.
Recently, a new variant virus Omicron BA.5 was detected in an imported case in Hong Kong. Chen Zhaoshi said that the WHO is monitoring the situation of the variant virus, and the current data is insufficient to know the impact of the virus on public health, including the transmission capacity and the effectiveness of the vaccine, etc. , but she has discussed it with government experts, and there is no need to worry for the time being.
Amendment order to hand over pet Chen: AFCD will take good care of it
The government has amended the law to stipulate that health officers can order citizens to hand over items including animals. Violators will be fined 10,000 yuan and imprisoned for half a year.
Chen Zhaoshi said that according to her understanding, the AFCD's amendments are not intended to require citizens to hand over pets such as cats and dogs, but the details must be explained by the AFCD.
She also pointed out that the AFCD takes good care of pets that need to be quarantined. As for the last time it chose to handle the hamsters in Hong Kong humanely, it was because the situation was critical at that time, and there was scientific data that hamsters could transmit the virus to humans.
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