Hong Kong, Feb. 8 (BNA): Hong Kong’s leader on Tuesday announced the city’s toughest social distancing restrictions yet, including unprecedented restrictions on private gatherings, as the number of new daily cases crossed 600.
CEO Carrie Lam said gatherings in private buildings of more than two families will be banned from Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
Public gatherings will be limited to two people, and hair salons and places of worship will be closed until February 24, when the city will launch a “vaccination card” that requires people to show proof of vaccination to enter malls, markets and restaurants.
The tightened measures come as the city battles a new wave of coronavirus driven by the omicron variable. More than 600 local cases were reported on Tuesday.
Hong Kong has joined China’s “COVID-free” policy, which aims to completely stamp out the outbreak, as many other countries change their approach to coexisting with the virus.
Authorities are imposing a lockdown on apartment buildings wherever clusters of infection have been identified, and have banned eating in public after 6 p.m.
The government will provide a sixth round of subsidies totaling HK$26 billion ($3.3 billion) to businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic.
Those experiencing temporary unemployment as a result of the pandemic will receive a one-time payment of $1,300, while frontline workers such as cleaners, security guards and airport cargo staff will receive about $250 per month for five months.
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