Hair salons will reopen this week under Covid-19 vaccine pass arrangements, Hong Kong authorities said on Tuesday, amid a downward trend in daily case numbers.
Other social distancing restrictions, however, including a ban on dining at restaurants past 6 p.m. and the closure of gyms, cinemas and massage parlours, will remain in place.
“Taking into consideration the public’s actual needs for the relevant service, and the smooth roll-out of the vaccine pass, hair salons and barber shops will be allowed to reopen under vaccine pass arrangements,” a government statement read.
Customers and staff will need to wear their face masks at all times and have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. Customers must also scan in using their LeaveHomeSafe contact tracing app upon entry.
Hair salons closed on February 11 amid the city’s worsening fifth-wave outbreak.
28,475 new Covid-19 cases
Hong Kong recorded another 28,475 new Covid-19 infections on Tuesday, and reported 160 deaths at public hospitals within the past 24 hours. Daily case counts peaked at 56,827 last Thursday.
Gabriel Leung, the dean of the University of Hong Kong’s medical faculty, said that based on the newest modelling, the fifth wave peaked last week and that daily infections are expected to fall below 1,000 by the end of April.
By mid-May, the number of daily cases should be below 100, he predicted.
Meanwhile, health authorities said the newly launched website for people to self-report their positive Covid-19 rapid test results would allow the city to get a clearer picture of the current epidemic situation. The website went live on Monday evening and received more than 17,000 reports by midnight.
After keeping Covid-19 largely at bay, Hong Kong is now battling its worst coronavirus wave since the pandemic began two years ago.
Some frontline medics have blamed authorities’ insistence on pursuing a dynamic zero-Covid strategy, under which Hong Kong seeks to isolate all Covid-19 cases. The policy – in line with mainland China’s approach – has led to a poor allocation of limited resources and manpower, with the needs the most vulnerable groups overlooked, doctors told HKFP.
Liang Wannian, the head of a delegation of anti-epidemic experts from mainland China that arrived last month, said on Monday that the city should reprioritise and focus on its elderly population. Ming Pao reported on Tuesday that the government is looking to “substantially adjust” its anti-epidemic strategy based on Liang’s recommendation.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
LATEST ON COVID-19 IN HONG KONG
HKFP GUIDES
