Omicron Emergency... Hong Kong Senior Officials Who Attended Large 'No Mask' Party Face Backlash

Over 100 Attended, Singing and Drinking... Ultimately Apologized via SNS

Hong Kong skyline. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid warnings from Hong Kong authorities to refrain from large banquets due to the recent spread of the Omicron variant, criticism has arisen after it was revealed that dozens of senior government officials attended a birthday party with 170 guests.

According to foreign media including the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 7th (local time), on the 3rd, a 53rd birthday party for Witman Hung, one of the Hong Kong representatives to the National People's Congress, was held at a restaurant in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

At the event, at least 14 senior government officials including Caspar Tsui, Secretary for Home Affairs (ministerial level), Au Ka-wang, Director of Immigration Department, and Raymond Siu, Commissioner of Police, as well as 20 Legislative Council members, were reported to have attended.

Previously, authorities had issued a recommendation to "not attend parties without wearing masks." However, attendees sang and drank without masks, and photos capturing these scenes spread through social networking services (SNS). In particular, criticism intensified after two confirmed cases emerged among the party attendees.

Andrew Leung, President of the Legislative Council, told the media, "I called each member and urged them to cooperate honestly with the authorities' investigation," adding, "Legislators and aides who attended the party are prohibited from entering the Legislative Council building until they test negative."

As it was revealed that a significant number of legislators attended the problematic party, the holding of the first Legislative Council meeting scheduled for the 12th has become uncertain.

The first meeting of the Legislative Council was also expected to be attended by Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, who was to respond to government inquiries. Chief Executive Lam stated, "Despite warnings from health authorities about the spread of the Omicron variant, I am deeply disappointed that so many officials attended such a large gathering," and added, "They must take responsibility for their actions."

As the controversy grew, Witman Hung, who hosted the party, along with other officials, issued apologies through SNS one after another.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong is implementing stringent quarantine measures such as closing gyms, bars, and nightclubs due to the spread of the Omicron variant. Additionally, Hong Kong has banned entry of passenger flights arriving from eight countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the Philippines, France, Pakistan, and India. These quarantine measures will be applied initially for two weeks from the 7th to the 20th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.