The extremely transmissible omicron variant goes to be a “very tough problem” for Hong Kong as town sticks to its zero-Covid coverage, a former U.S. diplomat informed CNBC.
There’ll possible be extra opposition to “draconian measures” provided that the variant seems to be much less harmful, mentioned Kurt Tong, who was beforehand U.S. consul basic and chief of mission in Hong Kong and Macao from August 2016 to July 2019.
Tighter restrictions — together with the closure of bars, cinemas and health facilities — kicked in on Friday final week and are set to final till Jan. 20.
“We face a really dire scenario of a significant neighborhood outbreak any time, and that is why we’ve got to take very decisive measures,” Chief Govt Carrie Lam mentioned when saying the brand new guidelines.
It will likely be very tough to realize zero Covid given the transmissibility of the omicron variant, and “there will probably be extra political strain to not have draconian measures be instituted towards a comparatively small danger for a lot of the vaccinated inhabitants,” mentioned Tong, who’s now companion at enterprise advisory agency The Asia Group.
Hong Kong Chief Govt Carrie Lam speaks on the vaccination service to the media earlier than a gathering on January 11, 2022 in Hong Kong.
China Information Service | China Information Service | Getty Photos
Round 70% of Hong Kong’s inhabitants has acquired two doses of a Covid vaccine, in response to authorities knowledge. Nevertheless, a “vital proportion” of aged persons are unvaccinated, Tong informed CNBC’s “Squawk Field Asia” on Thursday.
The federal government is “absolutely dedicated” to zero Covid, and “actually cannot again away from that strategy, whatever the financial impression, with out some instruction from Beijing to take action — which I do not see coming,” he added.
Sad however resigned
Requested in regards to the public and enterprise sentiment towards zero-Covid technique, Tong mentioned “unhappiness is the first feeling — but in addition a way of resignation.”
Folks perceive that Hong Kong desires to reopen the border with mainland China, and that it must comply with the identical zero-Covid coverage with the intention to obtain that, Tong mentioned.
“That is simply the way in which it will be,” he mentioned.
Tong added that he does not count on the border with China to open within the first half of this 12 months.
“The omicron problem is simply very vital, and so everybody’s going to be fairly conservative of their determination making,” he mentioned.
Allan Zeman, chairman of property developer Lan Kwai Fong Group, beforehand defended Hong Kong’s strict guidelines.
“I believe normally, we’re protected and it is totally different to the horror tales I watch in Europe and america in the meanwhile,” he mentioned in December. Zeman was a candidate in final 12 months’s Legislative Council elections however didn’t handle to win a seat.
Hong Kong has reported 12,821 confirmed Covid circumstances and 213 deaths because the pandemic started.