China News Service, Beijing, April 26, Question: (Fighting against New Coronary Pneumonia) Anti-epidemic disease has achieved significant results, and Xiangjiang needs to work together

　　China News Agency reporter Chen Xiaoyuan

　　Hong Kong announced for the first time on January 23 that two people had been diagnosed with new coronary pneumonia. It has been 3 months since. With the joint efforts of all walks of life, the number of new cases in Hong Kong has continued to slow recently. On the 26th, there were "zero diagnoses" three times this week, and the effectiveness of epidemic prevention gradually showed.

　　In Hong Kong, more than 1,000 cases have been diagnosed and 4 people have died. Although everyone does not want to see someone die due to the epidemic situation, compared with the surrounding Japan, South Korea, etc., Hong Kong's current epidemic prevention effect is very rare.

　　Hong Kong ’s small size and dense population, coupled with its status as an international financial center, frequent personnel exchanges and a high risk of virus spread. In 2003, atypical pneumonia caused nearly 300 deaths in Hong Kong, leaving a bitter memory. In the face of the epidemic, the general public of Hong Kong have higher expectations for the SAR government's anti-epidemic capabilities.

　　Faced with pressure, the SAR Government is facing difficulties. On January 25, the Hong Kong SAR Government raised the response level from "serious" to the highest "emergency". The Chief Executive, Lin Zhengyue, chaired the interdepartmental anti-epidemic steering committee and command center, followed the epidemic closely, and launched a series of prevention and control Measures.

　　When the "closing the city" was implemented in major epidemic areas in mainland China such as Wuhan, the SAR government closed 10 entry ports one after another, greatly reducing the transportation services between the mainland and Hong Kong, reducing the cross-border movement of people, and strengthening quarantine.

　　In early March, as the focus of epidemic prevention and control shifted to prevent overseas imports, the SAR Government has also adopted relevant control measures, such as restricting entry of non-Hong Kong people, who are subject to mandatory quarantine or medical observation.

　　In the past three months, the Hong Kong SAR Government has reviewed the situation and conducted a multi-pronged approach to prevent the epidemic. For example, the “Tongxin Anti-epidemic” special website was opened, a team of expert consultants was appointed to provide professional advice, global anti-epidemic materials such as masks were purchased, immigration control measures were adopted to reduce the import risk, and charter flights were arranged to connect Hubei and “Diamond Princess” cruise ships After returning to Hong Kong, Hong Kong residents strengthened epidemic control, closed high-risk locations to prevent group infections, and launched measures such as the "Epidemic Prevention and Anti-epidemic Fund" to help enterprises and citizens overcome difficulties.

　　Recently, after evaluating the risk of spreading the virus in bars, gyms and other places, the SAR Government requested that the relevant places be closed for 14 days, and the closure period should be extended in accordance with the development of the epidemic situation.

　　To prevent the epidemic from spreading, reducing personnel contact is essential. The restriction of certain economic activities by the SAR Government is also a prudent move after weighing the pros and cons.

　　On the 25th, Lin Zhengyue issued a post on the social media platform, "The anti-epidemic March dawn", said that the SAR government responded to the rapid development of the epidemic situation, referring to the opinions of experts, and decisively took severe measures to respond. She also pointed out that the results of the anti-epidemic campaign in the past month have not been easy to come. It depends on the people of Hong Kong fighting against the epidemic together, the medical staff holding up their posts, the cooperation of the SAR government departments and the understanding of all walks of life.

　　As it is said, the prevention and control of the epidemic situation requires continuous cooperation of the whole society. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, many social organizations and celebrities in Hong Kong have donated money and materials to help fight the epidemic, demonstrating the spirit of solidarity.

　　At present, protecting the health of residents to the greatest extent is the first priority of Hong Kong's epidemic prevention work. How to minimize the impact on economic activities and residents' lives under this goal is another major challenge for the SAR Government.

　　At the same time, the SAR Government's anti-epidemic process also encountered some challenges beyond the virus. Some people incited some medical personnel to threaten with a strike, some ignored the epidemic "restriction order" to continue to illegally gather, some for political and private interests to counteract the epidemic relief measures, and the black storm still did not stop.

　　Although Hong Kong's anti-epidemic efforts have achieved considerable results, I believe that the SAR Government will continue to work hard to protect and promote the maximum well-being of all citizens and to take care of the industries and citizens affected by the epidemic. The current overseas epidemic situation is still serious and there are many challenges. The public should also remain vigilant and cooperate in the fight against the epidemic. Only in this way, the epidemic situation will pass as soon as possible, and Xiangjiang will regain its vitality. (Finish)