After the Lunar New Year, the fifth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong is fierce. The Hong Kong SAR government, medical staff, and people from all walks of life have been fighting on the front line of the battle against the mutant virus strains Delta and Omikron.
In the face of the epidemic, the Hong Kong community is united to fight the epidemic.
Various chambers of commerce and enterprises took the initiative to donate money and materials to support the grassroots people affected by the epidemic. Taxi drivers also extended a helping hand. 300 taxis formed an exclusive anti-epidemic fleet to take patients with mild symptoms of new coronary pneumonia to designated clinics for free.
Yan Gang, managing director of China Merchants Port Holdings, member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, and Pan Jianliang, executive director of Chuangyi Holdings Co., Ltd., distributed supplies to the grassroots in the community.
Photo courtesy of China Merchants Bureau
At the same time, the central government has spared no effort to support Hong Kong. The first batch of epidemiological experts from the mainland to support Hong Kong arrived in Hong Kong on the afternoon of the 17th and started a 5-day inspection in Hong Kong.
The first batch of two mobile nucleic acid testing vehicles came with the expert group.
Earlier, the personnel dispatched from the mainland to Hong Kong to assist had already started working in the "Fire Eye Laboratory" in Ma'an Shan, which enabled the laboratory's testing capacity to reach 100,000 single tubes per day.
On the evening of February 17, the epidemiological expert team from the Mainland to support Hong Kong's anti-epidemic approach went to the "Huoyan Laboratory" of the Ma'anshan Stadium in Hong Kong to check the situation.
Li Zhihua
All walks of life in Hong Kong are united to fight the epidemic and drive away the haze
In the face of the ferocious fifth wave of COVID-19, people from all walks of life in Hong Kong have demonstrated their responsibility and responsibility to fight the epidemic with one heart and drive the haze.
"As a team serving all Hong Kong citizens, all government employees should take the fight against the epidemic as their primary goal." A spokesman for the Hong Kong SAR government said on the 17th: "In the past few weeks, various government policy bureaus and departments have quickly mobilized a large number of manpower to start A number of anti-epidemic measures, including large-scale 'enclosed' and 'restricted area' testing operations, case tracking efforts, assistance in issuing quarantine orders, and providing support to a dedicated call center for those under home quarantine."
The Hong Kong Hunan Friendship Association purchased 20,000 rapid test kits and distributed them to villagers and citizens in need.
Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Hunan Youth Association
Among the newly confirmed cases in the fifth wave of the epidemic, teachers, students and parents were also infected, which brought many challenges to the school.
The Hong Kong Federation of Educators has quickly won 1,000 sets of anti-epidemic materials donated by relevant institutions to distribute to colleagues in the education sector.
Many civil society organizations in Hong Kong have also used their actions to help fight the epidemic.
Among them, the Guangzhou Federation of Associations of Hong Kong and Yuexiu Group have now distributed a total of 2,500 smart phones and a batch of telephone stored value cards with a total value of nearly 5 million Hong Kong dollars. A batch of herbal tea was distributed to the members of the subordinate branches and groups and the disadvantaged groups.
The Federation of Hong Kong and Guangzhou Associations and Yuexiu Group have collectively sent 2,500 smartphones and a batch of telephone stored-value cards worth nearly HK$500 to grassroots citizens.
Photo courtesy of Federation of Hong Kong Guangzhou Associations
The continuing severe epidemic has put Hong Kong's public medical system and front-line anti-epidemic personnel under enormous pressure.
The CUHK Hospital, a private teaching hospital wholly owned by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and the CUHK Faculty of Medicine actively respond to social needs. In addition to continuing to provide vaccination services, they will also provide nucleic acid testing to the public from the 18th Services, and assist the HA hotline in answering public requests for help and enquiries, etc.; registered medical staff and graduates will provide support for the operation of the AsiaWorld-Expo Community Treatment Facility and the Hong Kong Infection Control Center of North Lantau Hospital.
On the 18th, a free and exclusive taxi fleet that takes patients with mild new crowns to designated clinics was put into service, and some vehicles can also take patients in wheelchairs.
"Qianle Travel Hong Kong Health Code Community Promotion Plan" was officially launched.
Photo courtesy of Media Asia Huirui
"We have received a lot of inquiries from drivers saying that they want to join the exclusive fleet and see what they can do to help Hong Kong." Huang Dahai, secretary general of the Hong Kong Taxi Drivers Association (general), admitted that everyone will fight the epidemic. First of all, I hope that we can fight the epidemic together so that Hong Kong can overcome the difficulties.
However, Huang Dahai also emphasized that the relevant protective equipment needs to be done well. "It must be people-oriented to ensure the safety of the drivers of the exclusive fleet."
The total caring taxi to support the medical and anti-epidemic volunteer fleet also announced the launch. The fleet will participate in the delivery of anti-epidemic materials, assist in the transportation of medical staff from the Hospital Authority, and other related anti-epidemic work.
Huang Dahai told reporters that 100 taxis will be put into service for 15 days in the first phase of the Caring Taxi Supporting Medical and Anti-epidemic Caravan.
16 important measures from all walks of life in Hong Kong to fight the epidemic
On the 18th, the Hong Kong Society for Anti-epidemic Action was held by the Chamber of Commerce. Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong Liaison Office), presided over the meeting and pointed out that at present, all walks of life in Hong Kong are taking or wanting to take important measures to prevent and fight the epidemic. There are 16 items, and it is believed that relevant actions can provide strong material support and spiritual incentives for the victory of the fight against the epidemic.
Li Haoran (middle), Member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council and Chief Strategy Officer of China Resources Group's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, rushed to the warehouse in Changsha Bay to inspect the situation of vegetables supplied to Hong Kong from the Mainland.
Photo courtesy of China Resources Group
The 16 anti-epidemic measures include:
1. Chinese-funded enterprises make every effort to ensure Hong Kong's epidemic prevention and supply of living materials.
On the evening of the 18th, a new waterway transportation route from Guangdong to Hong Kong was opened, and cargo ships filled with fresh vegetables and materials will depart from Panyu to Yau Ma Tei;
2. Chinese-funded enterprises ensure the safety of water supply and oil (gas) supply in Hong Kong;
3. Chinese-funded enterprises help improve the nucleic acid detection capabilities of the special zone;
4. Local businesses in Hong Kong and Chinese-funded enterprises vacate hotels as isolation places, and provide vaccination points in some shopping malls and office buildings;
5. The Hong Kong business community donated land to build isolation and medical facilities;
6. The construction of isolation and treatment facilities assisted by Chinese-funded enterprises will be held in the near future;
7. All sectors of society donate anti-epidemic funds and materials, including providing heating equipment for patients waiting outside the hospital;
CITIC Limited and its subsidiary, China CITIC Bank (International), sent anti-epidemic materials to the Nanchang East community in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong.
Photo courtesy of CITIC Limited
8. Local businesses in Hong Kong and Chinese-funded enterprises carry out activities to benefit the people, and offer discounts on food and daily necessities without price increases;
9. Local businesses in Hong Kong encourage employees to fight the epidemic at home and work online;
10. Chinese banks continue to introduce financial relief measures;
11. The community-wide anti-epidemic connections in Hong Kong set up the "Eighteen District Anti-epidemic Love Teams" to carry out a series of services;
12. The Hong Kong performing arts community launched a joint anti-epidemic action, creating and singing the theme song "You and I are of one heart, Hong Kong will win";
13. Local businesses in Hong Kong and Chinese-funded enterprises use outdoor large screens, bus bodies, etc. to display anti-epidemic slogans to create an anti-epidemic atmosphere;
14. Carry out an action to support the front-line medical staff in the anti-epidemic, millions of online relays are jointly signed, and the mainland e-commerce platform specially supports the front-line anti-epidemic medical staff in Hong Kong;
15. Set up a youth anti-epidemic caring team, convene 100 taxis and private cars to pick up medical staff, transfer anti-epidemic materials, etc.;
Volunteers from Hong Kong participated in the packaging and distribution of the test kits.
Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Elite Club
16. The Hong Kong Restart Alliance provides anti-epidemic supplies for cleaning staff.
Luo Huining said that Hong Kong is our common home. As long as we watch and help each other, stand together, unite as one, and move forward bravely, Hong Kong will surely win the battle against the epidemic.
Central Care helps Hong Kong people feel the warmth of the country
The mainland expert group that arrived in Hong Kong on the 17th has quickly started an intensive work itinerary.
On the 18th, the expert group participated in the epidemiological expert working group meeting at the SAR government headquarters, exchanged views on the Hong Kong epidemic situation, and discussed the challenges faced by the current fifth wave of the epidemic. The expert group also shared and discussed the mainland's experience in responding to the epidemic.
On the evening of February 18, the mainland mobile nucleic acid testing vehicle assisted the Hong Kong SAR government for the first time in the enclosure testing work at Block 21 of Shek Kip Mei Village.
Li Zhihua
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Carrie Lam, said that he believed that the central government's various support materials and manpower would gradually be in place. With the central government as the strongest backing of Hong Kong, Hong Kong citizens can maintain their confidence. "This fifth wave of the epidemic is undoubtedly a very big challenge, but The country's capabilities will surely allow us to successfully weather this wave of the epidemic."
The central government's aid to Hong Kong has indeed played a significant role in reassuring people's hearts.
The central government's care for Hong Kong under the epidemic has aroused enthusiastic responses from all walks of life in Hong Kong for several days.
On the evening of February 18, the mainland mobile nucleic acid testing vehicle assisted the Hong Kong SAR government for the first time in the enclosure testing work at Block 21 of Shek Kip Mei Village.
Li Zhihua
"The motherland will always be Hong Kong's strongest backing." As a representative of the youth community, Zhao Jiayin, a member of the All-China Youth Federation, told a reporter from China News Agency that with the firm support of the central government and the unity of all walks of life in Hong Kong, we will be able to defeat the fifth wave epidemic.
The representative from the overseas Chinese community, the Hong Kong Federation of Overseas Chinese Associations, issued a statement saying that the central government's high attention and full support to the epidemic in Hong Kong have made Hong Kong citizens feel the warmth and strength of the country once again, and let the Hong Kong society see the victory over the fifth wave. The hope of the epidemic has greatly boosted the anti-epidemic morale of Hong Kong society.
It is worth mentioning that, to cheer for the citizens of Hong Kong to fight the epidemic together, Bank of China Hong Kong, China Taiping, CCB Asia, Bank of Communications Hong Kong, China Life Overseas and other office buildings on the shores of the Victoria Harbour have been on their outer walls 24 hours a day since the 16th. The slogan "United to fight against the epidemic, united as one" is scrolled on the LED display screen, which can be clearly seen by passers-by on both sides of the Victoria Harbour and boats at sea, no matter day or night.
Text reporter: Han Xingtong Liu Chenyao Suo Youwei Zhang Xiaoxi
Video reporter: Fan Siyi Liang Yuan
Photographer: Li Zhihua