 |
| There are now 4 Filipinas who flew in from Manila who have tested positive for Covid-19 in HK |
A 52-year-old Filipina who has just returned from a vacation
in the Philippines is one of
43 people in Hong Kong confirmed to have been
infected by the coronavirus disease today, Apr 3, according to the Department
of Health.
She has become the fourth Filipino to test positive after
flying in from Manila on Apr 1.
Records from the Center for Health Protection show that the Filipina was asymptomatic but tested positive while under quarantine at Chung King Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Three other infected Filipinas came from different
places, brought there by their employers; one from the United Kingdom , another from Turkey , and the most recent, from the United States
 |
| CALL NOW! |
Also among the new cases are five linked to the bars in
Central, Wanchai and Tsim Sha Tsui from where around 80 people have been
infected so far.
The new cases brought the city’s total to 845. Of these, 626
remain in hospitals. Eight are in critical condition, and nine in serious
condition.
Globally, the number of people infected with the virus has passed
the million mark, with the death toll nearing 55,000.
Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Centre for Health Protection said
in today’s press briefing that the helper was one of 34 patients who had
traveled to other countries recently.
Seven of the 20 locally acquired cases are tied to bars,
bolstering a move by the authorities to close from 6pm tonight all
establishments that serve alcoholic drinks as part of the government’s social
distancing measures to contain the epidemic.
Chuang said five of the new cases are tied to previously
named bars in a cluster involving bar staff and musicians, as well as patrons.
 |
| Tunghayan ang isa na namang kwentong Dream Love. |
One of the patients visited All Night Long in Tsim Sha Tsui,
while one other was a friend of a confirmed infected person who had been to
Insomnia in Central. Two performers and a bar employee were also among Friday’s
patients.
Also part of the bar cluster are Dusk till Dawn and Centre
Stage in Wanchai.
 |
| Insomnia in Lan Kwai Fong was where the first bar infection was detected |
However, two new patients both had travel history, and had
visited a bar. The first visited Tazmania Ballroom in Lan Kwai Fong, and the
other, La Cabane on Hollywood Road
Meanwhile, the move to close down bars has
left many owners confused, saying the government was not clear on whether the
targeted premises are those that exclusively or mainly sell or supply liquors
for consumption.
They noted that due to a lack of clarity on how the social
distancing law will be enforced, restaurants that also serve alcoholic drinks could
be at risk of being shut.
Owners of businesses that violate the ban also face a maximum
fine of $50,000 and six months in jail.
Gordon Lam Sui-wa, convenor of the Hong Kong Small and
Middle Restaurant Federation, was reported by a local newspaper as saying that 1,100
bars would definitely close as selling alcohol was their business.
But those in uncertain situation are drinking venues also that
also serve food and categorized as “bar and restaurants” on their liquor license,
a grey area on which many of these businesses fall.
Asked about the issue at today’s press briefing, Dr Chui
Tak-yi, undersecretary for Food and Health, said that the government ban covers
bars and pubs because of their close setting and cramped configuration that do
not engender social distancing.
Also covered by the ban are gatherings in premises or
businesses that violate the law governing social distancing, Chui said.
He said activities in these establishments will be monitored
in line with the government’s position to minimize social gatherings as a
measure to contain the contagion.
But he said the government will only give out advice and
warnings initially, because “ the public needs time to adjust.”
If the warnings are ignored, “then there will be
enforcement,” he said.
Earlier this week, the government ordered the closure of karaoke
lounges, mahjong parlours and clubhouses. That came after the first batch of public
places that attract large crowds, including cinemas, gaming centers, saunas,
fitness centres, party rooms and pool halls, were shut on Mar 28.
Meanwhile, the government has urged the public to avoid going
to cemeteries tomorrow, Saturday, for the traditional sweeping of ancestors’ graves
during the Ching Ming Festival.
“Doing so can lessen crowd conditions and reduce close
contact, thereby reducing the risk of spreading the Covid-19 virus through
social contact,” a government spokesman said
Members of the public should also abide by the group
gathering regulation that limits groupings to four people, unless they live in
the same household, and to keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters from other groups.
In the new epicenter, the United States Italy
was trailing the US with
over 115,000 cases and about 14,000 deaths, while Spain
In the Philippines
