DDHK.ORG - Pemerintah Hong Kong officially announced a lockdown policy for some areas in Jordan, which is in the Yau Tsim Mong District. All residents who since 4 am on Saturday (23/1/2021) have been in the so-called “restricted area” are asked to remain in their places and undergo compulsory Covid-19 tests.
"The restricted area stretches from Woosung Street in the east, Nanking Street in the south, Battery Street in the west, and Kansu Street in the north," said a spokesman for the Hong Kong Government, via its official website.
The lockdown policy in the area of approximately 500 square feet was taken because from January 1 to 20, 2021, 162 positive cases of Covid-19 were recorded from 56 buildings in various areas between Yau Ma Tei and Jordan. Another basis, as noted by Environment Minister Wong Kam-sing, is that nearly 90 percent of the waste samples collected from a block of about 40 buildings in the area have given positive results for the coronavirus.
“After conducting a risk assessment, the Government decided that it was necessary to issue a forbidden area limitation test declaration to break the transmission chain in the district and eliminate residents' concerns. The government says it aims to achieve the goal of zero cases in the district through these territorial restrictions, "said a spokesman for the Hong Kong Government.
The government hopes that the compulsory Covid-19 test of the entire population, estimated at 10.000 in the lockdown area, can be completed before midnight this Sunday. In the next 48 hours, it is hoped that the results will be known. That way, they can start working around 6 am on Monday (25/1/2021).
"They also have to stay in their living quarters until all test results are confirmed to avoid the risk of cross infection. Those who have undergone previous testing before the declaration takes effect, including testing under the mandatory testing notification, will have to undergo further testing, ”said a spokesman for the Hong Kong Government.
This mandatory test until midnight also applies to all persons who have been in the restricted area for more than two hours in the past 14 days. In fact, even though they were not in the restricted area at the time the lockdown was announced.
The Hong Kong Department of Home Affairs has set up two hotline numbers: 2399 6949 and 2835 1473 for inquiries, as well as a special hotline number 3755 6816 for ethnic minority communities.
Government Deploys Thousands of Personnel
Lockdown action is carried out suddenly and quickly, without prior notice. Surprisingly, about 10 residents were locked up on Saturday as the police surrounded the area under lockdown. There are about 200 old buildings in the area.
As a result, residents who are currently in the restricted area cannot get out. Conversely, those who are outside the area are not allowed to enter.
About 3.000 government employees, including police and other disciplinary service officers, were deployed for the screening operation, which took place for the first time in Hong Kong. This is the strictest measure in the country of Concrete in more than a year of controlling the Covid-19 outbreak.
After police surrounded the area, officers in protective gear from other disciplinary services, such as customs, immigration, fire, and correctional services began door-to-door inspections with health workers.
At 7 a.m., officers dressed in white personal protective clothing had set up counters at several checkpoints.
Several robed officers also waited at the closed entrance of the residential building. Police officers stand guard around the closed area.
"We have prepared sufficient resources to carry out the test as quickly as possible," said Hong Kong Interior Minister Caspar Tsui Ying-wai.
Under the lockdown, everyone inside restricted areas must be screened for Covid-19 at the 51 mobile testing facilities stationed in the area before midnight. No one can leave the restricted zone until the restrictions are lifted.
Only three types of people will be allowed to enter the area: residents, relatives living in the same flat as those who need care, and staff members in badly needed sectors such as elderly care. [Source: news.gov.hk/ SCMP] [DDHK News]
