Reeling under new wave of coronavirus, Hong Kong reinstates social distancing

Reeling under the new wave of the coronavirus, Hong Kong, on Monday, reimposed social distancing measure at some of the strictest areas in the city. The decision came in the background of the increasing number of cases – more than 100 a day, news agency AFP reported.

Earlier,
when the cases rose, the city had banned huge gatherings of people and ordered
to shut the industries for most of the year. The city had reported 6,000 infected in a 7.5 million population with 109 deaths.

“This new
wave of COVID-19 has hit Hong Kong very quickly”, chief executive Carrie Lam
told reporters, adding the new restrictions would take effect from Wednesday.

There are
certain new restrictions along with the previous restrictions which will be
implemented again. These includes, the entertainment areas, such as karaoke
rooms, amusement parks and mahajong parlours will be shut. Schools, bars and
nightclubs were already ordered to shut.

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Lam also suggested the private firms follow this order as per
their convenience. Only two persons are allowed to meet at a time. Anyone found
breaking these orders will face police actions and will be fined.

Authorities
has planned to increase the current fine which is HK$2,000 and will initiate a
hotline for residents to report social distancing violations.

One of the
main reason for this current spike in COVID-19 cases are the Ballroom dancing
nights with huge gathering. People danced in close contacts, no social distancing
was maintained and no body wore masks.

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Hong Kong
has always remained very strict in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Initially
during the first wave of COVID-19, they closed city’s schools and also prohibited
travel across the city’s border with mainland China, where the very first case
of coronavirus was confirmed.