[Explanation] The fifth wave of the new crown epidemic in Hong Kong is fierce, which has an impact on the safety and health of citizens and the economy and people's livelihood.
Under the severe epidemic situation, the Hong Kong police stepped forward to "fight the epidemic" with all sectors of society.
A few days ago, Lin Zhiwei, chairman of the Hong Kong Police Ranking Association, introduced in an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency that since the fifth wave of the epidemic, Hong Kong police officers have done a lot in anti-epidemic publicity, law enforcement, case tracking, and assistance in siege. Work.
[Concurrent] Lin Zhiwei, Chairman of the Hong Kong Police Officers Association
First of all, in terms of publicity, our colleagues often remind some citizens to maintain social distance during daily patrol hours.
When we are on patrol, or during some operations, we will carry out votes against some citizens for violating social distance (laws), violating the "mask order" for not wearing masks, and the "restriction of gatherings", etc.
However, most of our police forces have to cooperate with the Department of Health and the quarantine center to enclose some restricted areas.
We also had colleagues who went to the case tracking office to trace the source of some confirmed cases.
[Commentary] Lin Zhiwei said frankly that although Hong Kong has also experienced the impact of avian flu, swine flu and other epidemics before, the new crown pneumonia epidemic has spread rapidly, widely, and has high risks. The epidemic prevention and control work is more difficult than before.
Working in a high-risk and high-pressure environment, the Hong Kong police face many challenges.
[Concurrent] Lin Zhiwei, Chairman of the Hong Kong Police Officers Association
We Hong Kong police have always been ordinary citizens, and we have our own families. Our work contacts are all high-risk.
In our daily work, we are exposed to different situations and events, so we often have the opportunity to be exposed to the new coronavirus.
Since we have to abide by Chapter 599 of the Laws of Hong Kong and the Civil Service Ordinance, there may be a chance that some colleagues may receive a mandatory test until they get a negative result, which may take 2 to 3 days, causing our frontline to be in short supply. The manpower is even more scarce, but we have no choice but to exhaust our resources to continue to fight the epidemic during such a difficult time.
[Explanation] Talking about the mental journey of fighting the epidemic, Lin Zhiwei said that due to the shortage of manpower, many retired colleagues signed up to join the anti-epidemic team, and took the initiative to give up reuniting with their families during the New Year and go out to assist the anti-epidemic work, which made him very move.
[Concurrent] Lin Zhiwei, Chairman of the Hong Kong Police Officers Association
One of the more unforgettable (events) is that on the evening of the 30th (29th) New Year's Eve, the fifth wave (epidemic) suddenly broke out in Kwai Chung Village, requiring a lot of manpower to do some anti-epidemic work.
In the end, there were some retired disciplined forces, mainly former police colleagues. About 300 people came out to do some assistance during the New Year period from the evening of the 30th (29th) to the third day of the Chinese New Year.
Although they are not current police officers, they all continue to shed police blood.
When Hong Kong was in crisis, they did not forget the original intention of being a police officer and continued to step out. I was in this process, and I was very moved.
[Commentary] In the face of the severe epidemic, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Li Jiachao, said after leading a delegation to attend the second China-Hong Kong New Coronary Pneumonia Epidemic Symposium that the central government will fully support the SAR government in taking all measures to contain the epidemic.
In this regard, Lin Zhiwei pointed out that protecting the safety of the citizens is the core work of the Hong Kong police. The support of the central government has greatly boosted the confidence of the police officers. He believes that with the support of the central government, Hong Kong will definitely be able to defeat the epidemic.
[Concurrent] Lin Zhiwei, Chairman of the Hong Kong Police Officers Association
If the central government has fully supported us, I believe this will be a great encouragement to the people of Hong Kong, or to our personnel who carry out this work.
With such a strong backer and such a strong backing, let alone the Hong Kong police, as a Hong Konger, it must be very happy and encouraging.
Protecting the lives of Hong Kong citizens is also our core and most basic job as a police officer.
There must be determination and confidence.
Reporter Fan Siyi Liang Yuan reports from Hong Kong
Responsible editor: [Ji Xiang]