Hong Kong Chief Government Carrie Lam has introduced that the town is "planning very severely" to implement necessary COVID-19 testing for its almost 7.5 million residents in an try to fight an increase in instances.
Lam famous, nonetheless, that common testing doesn't imply there will probably be a whole metropolis lockdown.
"In our case, having examined the distinctive scenario in Hong Kong, we most likely will simply go for common testing of everybody, however testing extra occasions," Lam mentioned, whereas citing neighboring Macao's use of repeated common testing for its 600,000 individuals.
Lam additionally introduced the upcoming Chief Government election will probably be postponed from March 27 to Could 8 so as to give the federal government time to battle rising case ranges.
"This resolution was made on the again of the present scenario, a scenario that we've not seen up to now two years," Lam mentioned. "The scenario is aggravating and fairly important, and so as to defend the well being of Hong Kong's individuals, the federal government ought to focus all assets to battle the epidemic. We can't afford to be distracted, and we can't afford to make errors."
The choice comes at a time of disaster for the town. Well being officers mentioned this week that hospitals have been at 90% capability, and day by day new instances topped 2,000 for the primary time this week, The Related Press reported. The town reported 6,116 new instances on Thursday, the AP mentioned.
The choice falls consistent with Beijing's "zero-COVID" coverage, which has included quarantining vacationers, implementing whole lockdowns, and complete testing, in response to The Related Press.
"I attraction to the individuals of Hong Kong to stay optimistic and assured that we can overcome this public well being disaster," Lam mentioned.