The government has relaxed most of the social distance measures starting today (29th), only maintaining the mask order and the isolation order for confirmed cases, and is fully moving towards normalcy.
Lu Chongmao, director of the Medical and Health Bureau, said today (29th) that the government's relaxation of policies does not mean giving up on epidemic prevention. He also pointed out that although the virus has mutated and the public's immunity has improved in the past three years, the new crown, flu, and colds have "closed in some places." , but the impact of the new crown on citizens and medical treatment is greater than that of the flu, emphasizing that "we do not want to downplay the impact of the new crown on the public and medical care."
▼On December 28, Li Jiachao announced that most of the epidemic prevention restrictions will be canceled from December 29▼
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Lu Chongmao responded on the radio program whether the new crown pneumonia has become a cold. At this stage, the public’s awareness of the new crown epidemic has increased, coupled with virus mutations and public immunity. The influence of the new crown is indeed different from that of 3 years ago. In some places, it is related to influenza "It's getting closer", but there are differences, "There is no need to be too careful".
COVID-19 still has a greater impact on the medical system than flu
He emphasized that the impact of the new crown on the medical system is greater than that of the flu, but the impact of the two should be superimposed. Medical impact, also said that the government is "relaxing but not giving up" this time.
It doesn't mean that one represents the other, or that the two are the same, that one plus one may be greater than two... I don't want to downplay the impact of the new crown on citizens and medical care... Relax but don't give up.
Director of the Medical and Health Bureau Lu Chongmao
Lu Chongmao: Non-sudden relaxation is a steady return to normal
At present, the number of confirmed cases is still high, and it is pointed out that the timing of relaxation is not appropriate. Lu Chongmao pointed out that the direction of anti-epidemic in the past 6 months has been stable, balancing the effects of anti-epidemic, social costs, and economic momentum, and moving towards the direction of normalization, including two-step elimination Elimination of immigration quarantine, etc., described the relaxation in the past as steady, and believes that the relaxation this time is not sudden.
Lu Chongmao, Director of the Medical and Health Bureau.
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Last week, he refused to cancel the low vaccination rate of the old and the young: it is necessary to consider the cost-effectiveness in due course
Lu Chongmao said in a radio briefing last Saturday (24th) that he would not cancel the vaccine pass for the time being, and explained that increasing the vaccination rate, especially "one old and one young", can reduce the risk of severe illness and death for this group of people. It can also reduce the burden on the hospital.
He also pointed out that the effectiveness of the review should be abolished after reaching a specific level. Special attention should be paid to the vaccination rate of the elderly and the young. Ideally, would burden the healthcare system.
As for what level of vaccination rate we need to reach (only to cancel the vaccination pass), we need to look at the vaccination rate of "one old and one young", but it is a pity that the vaccination rate of infants and young children is very low now... so it is very important for us is less than ideal and puts a strain on our healthcare system.
Director of the Medical and Health Bureau Lu Chongmao responded to media questions on December 24
However, it has changed 180 degrees in less than a week, and the Vaccine Pass will be canceled starting today.
Lu Chongmao explained the reason for the "transition", saying that the policy must be adjusted at a certain time, and the cost or benefit should be reconsidered in due course. He emphasized that each stage should be reviewed, and the vaccination rate of the elderly and the young is still the most concerned and regrettable issue .
He said that the government will continue to promote vaccination, including that schools will continue to educate parents to take their children for injections, and will continue the school vaccination program, etc., hoping that the willingness of the elderly and children to be vaccinated will not be affected by anti-scientific remarks.
Policies must be adjusted at a certain time, and the cost or benefit will be reconsidered in due course, and will be reviewed at each stage.
Director of the Medical and Health Bureau, Lu Chongmao, responded to a radio program on December 29
▼On December 28, the government announced that starting from December 29, no nucleic acid testing will be required when entering the airport▼
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The medical system has high resilience and the level of epidemic situation near the beginning of the year can still maintain non-emergency services
As for the pressure on the medical system from the relaxation of measures, he said that the medical system in Hong Kong is under great pressure every winter, but he noticed that the current number of sewage viruses and infection rates are no different from those at the beginning of this year, and the effectiveness of the three injections in Hong Kong has reached 94%, the medical system has relatively high resilience under the arrangement of telemedicine and drug delivery. Even if the current epidemic situation is close to the level at the beginning of the year and winter flu is added, the Hospital Authority can still maintain a large number of non-emergency services.
Cancellation of quarantine order for close contacts frees up medical staff
He admitted that relaxing some measures may increase the number of infections, but it is not the most important part, and canceling the isolation order for close contacts can also release hospital manpower, because 500 Hospital Authority employees are affected by the isolation order every day. .
▼On December 28, the government announced the cancellation of the vaccine pass▼
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The responsibility and power of epidemic prevention are returned to the citizens
He added that the quarantine order for close contacts in the past has caused considerable costs to the society. "Some people have been quarantined at home many times for a period of time." It was decided that "it is up to the citizens to decide whether to take leave and see a doctor." Medical staff also have the flexibility to consider whether it is suitable to return to work as soon as possible.
Lu: Review mask order after winter peak
Lu Chongmao also said that he will make adjustments in due course and consider relaxing the mask order, but because there is still a period of time in winter, he will review it again at that time, and reiterated that the epidemic situation is constantly progressing, and the epidemic prevention policy will continue to adjust with changes. It should be accepted."
▼On December 28, the government announced that starting from December 29, no nucleic acid testing will be required when entering the airport▼
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Relaxation of epidemic prevention｜Tian Beichen withdraws the vaccine notification: Did the government make a mistake?
It is expected that the 30,000 quota of inbound flights from Japan at the beginning of customs clearance｜Hong Kong government urges Japan to withdraw the landing restriction order, 250 flights with 60,000 people traveling to Japan may lose the epidemic situation.
Latest｜Vaccine passes will be canceled from today. Cathay Pacific explained in the morning to respond to Japan’s drop-down order. Huiyuan became the crown vaccine pass in Hong Kong, canceled nearly 400,000 people on Thursday who failed to get a "zero injection" and white-collar workers lamented their conflicted emotions
