Audio By Carbonatix
Hong Kong’s government locked down an area of Kowloon peninsula on Saturday, saying its 10,000 residents must stay home until all of them have been tested for the new coronavirus and results largely determined.
The government said there are 70 buildings in the “restricted area” of Jordan and that it aims to finish the process within about 48 hours, so that people can start getting to work on Monday.
Hong Kong authorities have taken aggressive measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the Asian financial and airline hub, but Saturday’s move is the first lockdown in the Chinese-ruled city.
Many buildings are old and poorly maintained in the small, densely populated area, where subdivided units are common, said health secretary Sophia Chan.
“The infection risk in the community is quite high,” she told a news conference. “After assessment, we think it’s necessary to make a restriction-testing declaration in the restricted area to achieve the goal of zero cases.”
The restricted area has confirmed 162 confirmed cases of COVID-19 this month, and the ratio of virus detected in sewage samples from buildings there was higher than that of other areas.
Latest Stories
-
CRC proposes new petition-led process for removal of Chief Justice
4 minutes -
Foreign Minister Ablakwa takes Nana Agyei Ahyia case to Latvia, vows full accountability
6 minutes -
AFCON 2025: Salah seals late win for Egypt over Zimbabwe
12 minutes -
Carney names ex-Blackrock executive as new US ambassador
18 minutes -
CRC proposes 10-year single term and new removal process for Chief Justice
28 minutes -
Salah scores late winner as Egypt come from behind to beat Zimbabwe
35 minutes -
France rushes emergency budget law to avert shutdown after talks collapse
1 hour -
US conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria after Trump intervention threat
1 hour -
Ecuador soldiers sentenced to decades in prison over disappearance of murdered boys
1 hour -
Trump pulls 30 envoys in ‘America First’ push, critics say it weakens US abroad
2 hours -
The 17-hour miracle: Black Sherif beats logistical marathon to pull off historic Zaama Disco 2025
2 hours -
NPP Primaries: Electoral area coordinators in Ada, Sege declare support for Bawumia
3 hours -
PSG marks 90 years with Maiden Dinner and Awards Night
3 hours -
Volta, Oti pharmacists sound alarm over staff shortages, call for action
3 hours -
Police foil suspected robbery at Ashaiman; 3 suspects killed
3 hours
