Hong Kong Reaffirms Covid Zero Strategy, Extending Flight Bans
- Current restrictions will continue for two weeks until Feb. 3
- Carrie Lam announces HK$3.57 billion in economic relief
Closed bars due to Covid-19 restrictions in the Lan Kwai Fong nightlife area in Hong Kong on Jan. 7.
Photographer: Paul Yeung/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Hong Kong’s leader vowed to press on with her city’s Covid Zero strategy as she extended sweeping social-distancing measures and flight bans until after the Lunar New Year break, in a desperate bid to eliminate omicron.
“We have to weigh these consequences against the health risks to the people of Hong Kong because these viruses could kill people,” Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at a press briefing Friday. “Hundreds of people are still dying in every European country nowadays and I have to do my utmost duty to protect the health of the Hong Kong people.”