The Consulate announced today, Jun 4, that all Filipinos in Hong Kong who tested positive for coronavirus have
recovered.
“Lahat ng mga Pilipino ng mga maysakit na Pilipino ay gumaling
na at nakalabas na ng ospital,” said the advisory posted on the Consulate’s
Facebook page.
No figures were mentioned, but various reports suggest that
about 50 Filipinos, both residents and migrant workers, have been infected with
Covid-19.
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A majority of these are musicians who fell ill when the
virus raged across four bars they played at: Insomnia in Central, Dusk Till
Dawn and Centre Stage in Wanchai, and All Night Long in Tsim Sha Tsui.
But around 20 are Filipino domestic workers, who were mostly
infected at home by their employers.
They include two who were employed by a socialite member of
the Hong Kong Jockey Club who appears to have also passed on the virus to her
pet dog, and one whose elderly employer was infected at a hotpot dinner with family
members.
A few were found infected when they flew into Hong Kong
after accompanying their employers to such places as Britain, France, Canada
and the United States.
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| Insomnia was shut after its Filipino band soloist tested positive for Covid-19 in late March |
According to Manuela Lo, chairperson of the Hong Kong
Musicians Union, there were 24 infected musicians who were on temporary work
permit, and were thus able to get financial aid from the Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration (OWWA).
HKMU helped them secure the relief aid from OWWA, as well as
from Department of Labor and Employment’s Akap program, which extended US$200
for every sickened and displaced overseas Filipino worker.
A further 49 musicians who did not get sick but were put
under quarantine and subsequently lost their jobs when the bars were shut, also
reportedly received the Akap cash assistance.
Lo said it was unfortunate no similar help was extended to
affected musicians who were already permanent residents in Hong
Kong .
While bars have been allowed to reopen, live entertainment
is still not allowed, so the affected Filipino musicians are now left having to
grapple with loss of income.
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| Filipinos are advised to avoid crowds and observe social distancing |
In its advisory, the Consulate reminded Filipinos to remain
vigilant, especially in the wake of a new cluster of local transmissions in the
city.
They are told to maintain hygiene by washing hands frequently,
wearing masks, avoiding crowded places, and by following the rule that no more
than eight persons should gather in public places.
The advisory also had a message to employers, telling them
to “respect” the day-off of their employees who choose to stay at home.
