Flower markets crowd control measures hinge on Covid situation

January 21, 2021 10:41
Photo: RTHK

Health officials these days are busy handling the coronavirus outbreak in Yau Tsim Mong region, while at the same time revving up the pandemic preventive measures for the upcoming Lunar New Year flower markets.

While tens of thousands of residents living in the area have been ordered to get tested, the number of cases in the district stayed high. Officials expected it could take up to two weeks before the situation stabilizes.

"Because of the quite long incubation period of Covid-19, any control measures... you will see the results in maybe one or two weeks’ time if the intervention is useful. So it may take some time for the cases to come down if the intervention measures are effective," said Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Centre for Health Protection.

Authorities reported 77 new Covid cases Wednesday, 41 of them from Yau Tsim Mong.

On the same day, the government said that it is prepared to tighten the crowd-control measures in the Lunar New Year flower markets next month, if the Covid situation worsens.

"We will try our best to reduce the number of people in each zone,” said, Vivian Lau, the director of food and environmental hygiene.

According to government’s plans, the 15 fairs across the city would be divided into smaller areas, with a cap on the number of people allowed in at one time.

If there's a resurgence of cases, the number of visitors allowed in each zone could be further trimmed, she added.

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