Chinese Officials Recommend City Lockdown in Hong Kong Amid 'COVID-19 Spread'

Hong Kong citizens crowded at a temporary COVID-19 testing site [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Chinese officials have reportedly recommended a city-wide lockdown to control the surge of COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong.

According to a Bloomberg report on the 22nd (local time), citing multiple sources, Chinese officials advised that a city-wide lockdown is more effective in suppressing COVID-19 infections in a short period.

However, Hong Kong officials stated that a city-wide lockdown is not feasible, and if infection cases continue to rise sharply, controls may be imposed on particularly severe areas, the sources said.

The sources added that Chinese and Hong Kong officials frequently hold meetings to discuss Hong Kong's COVID-19 situation, and at this stage, China only makes recommendations while decision-making authority rests with Hong Kong.

Experts view that due to Hong Kong's high population density and political environment, a city-wide lockdown would be difficult to accept. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam also firmly stated on the 15th that "there is no plan for a full city lockdown." Instead, she announced plans for mandatory testing of all citizens.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong authorities announced 32 new deaths due to COVID-19 on the same day. Additionally, there were 6,211 new confirmed cases and 9,369 preliminary positive cases. The authorities explained that among the deceased were two teenagers aged 15 and 17. Of the 32 deaths, 27 were people aged 60 or older with underlying health conditions, and most of the deceased had not been vaccinated, they added.

As of now, the cumulative death toll in Hong Kong stands at 145.

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