[Commentary] On April 12, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam said at a press conference that the fourth wave of new coronary pneumonia in Hong Kong has been clearly under control so far, and the number of confirmed cases and cases of unknown origin have been significantly reduced, and the "external defense import" has been successful. The flow of the mutant virus into the community was blocked, and the number of confirmed patients remaining in the hospital dropped to 125, and 90% were in stable condition.
She believes that by global standards, Hong Kong should be a low-risk area.
[Concurrent] Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Today is the third consecutive day that the Center for Health Protection did not hold a daily press conference at 4:30. In other words, in the past three days plus today, no local confirmed cases have been found to be of unknown origin. This is a Very good sign.
The fourth wave of the epidemic, which started in late November last year, has been clearly under control so far, and has achieved a phased result. The average number of 7-day movements in the past 14 Japanese (confirmed) cases is daily Two cases, and the source of unknown (confirmed cases) is only 0.7 per day (average). This number is relatively very low.
The number of hospitalized patients is also declining. So far there are only 125 (patients in hospital) and 90% of them are stable.
From an objective point of view of the above-mentioned phased results, from the perspective of a global perspective, the situation in Hong Kong today belongs to a low-risk area.
[Explanation] Regarding the latest arrangements for Hong Kong's entry and exit, Carrie Lam said at the meeting that he has obtained the approval of the Guangdong Provincial Government to allow cross-border truck drivers who have completed the new crown vaccination to relax the quarantine from the current daily quarantine to once every three days.
[Concurrent] Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
We have just obtained the approval of the Guangdong Provincial Government that cross-border truck drivers who have completed the (vaccination) can continue to enjoy exemption from quarantine, and gradually relax the virus testing they currently do every day to one inspection every three days, or even It can be considered to be more relaxed in the future, but the first step is to relax the inspection every three days. Therefore, Guangdong Province has agreed to implement it within this week. As long as the injection is given, there is no need for a daily inspection. .
[Explanation] In addition, the SAR government will extend the "Easy Return to Hong Kong" program to other parts of the mainland at the end of April. Hong Kong residents who return to Hong Kong through the "Easy Return to Hong Kong" can be exempted from 14-day compulsory quarantine.
Carrie Lam also mentioned that it plans to launch an "Easy to Hong Kong" in mid-May, allowing mainland residents to come to Hong Kong without compulsory quarantine on the 14th.
[Concurrent] Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Today is April 12th. At the end of this month, we will extend the "Easy Return to Hong Kong" program for Hong Kong people from Guangdong Province to Hong Kong residents in other parts of the Mainland. These residents will either return to Hong Kong through land ports or fly from Hong Kong International Airport. You can enjoy the "Easy Return to Hong Kong" when you enter Hong Kong. Then, by mid-May, we will release it to Hong Kong residents, whether they are residents of the Mainland or foreign residents. However, if he lives or works in the Mainland, he hopes to come to Hong Kong. People in the Mainland can "come to Hong Kong easily" without compulsory quarantine on the 14th to come to Hong Kong.
Reporter Liang Yuan from Hong Kong
Editor in charge: [Zhang Kaixin]