Beijing will help HK win the war against Covid: CE

Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Monday released a video-recorded speech reassuring people that the government will continue to mobilise all available resources to fight Covid-19, and expressing confidence that the city will overcome its hardship thanks to Beijing’s full support.

During the eight-minute-long video, Lam said her administration is finalising the details of a planned universal Covid testing exercise that will cut chains of transmission in a “thorough, quick, orderly and effective manner”.

She said whether patients will be admitted to isolation or treatment facilities will depend on their health, as well as other factors such as whether their homes are suitable for isolation and who they live with.

Special support such as a medical hotline and designated clinics will be provided, Lam added.

The CE said Hong Kong is not able to handle the Omicron outbreak on its own and that’s why in early February she asked the central government for help.

“The central government is highly concerned about Hong Kong’s epidemic situation and it cares about Hong Kong people’s wellbeing. It has been coordinating everything Hong Kong needs and has been responding to us immediately and actively,” she said.

She again appealed for people to support the government’s anti-infection measures – including getting vaccinated, doing tests in accordance with compulsory orders, avoiding crowded places and asking domestic helpers not to go out on their day off.

“With the strong support from the central government, the SAR government will firmly follow the instruction of President Xi Jinping, and will bear the main responsibility and make it its top priority to contain the outbreak,” she said.

“The epidemic is ruthless and the situation is critical. But with the full support of the central government, Hong Kong will be able to come out safely from danger.”