Hong Kong civil servants to start returning to work from in a few days
28 April, 2020
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday (Apr 28) most civil servants will steadily return to work from May 4, although the federal government hadn't yet decided whether to ease travel and social distancing restrictions that are because of expire next week.
The global financial hub reported no new coronavirus infections for another day on Monday, bringing some relief to a city whose economy has been battered by the condition that came on the heels of crippling anti-government protests.
Looking to ease just how out of a lockdown, Lam said outdoor sports facilities, libraries and museums would also reopen from next Monday although they might still be at the mercy of a ban on gatherings greater than four people.
Social distancing restrictions to halt the spread of coronavirus have seen a relative lull in protests in recent weeks, with some democracy activists expressing concern the rules could possibly be used to curb demonstrations, which Lam rejected.
"When considering whether to keep the restrictions or not, the major consideration is firstly to safeguard public health and ensure citizens' health, secondly to consider the impact of these measures on the economy and various industries, and thirdly their psychological effect on people," Lam said.
The government said last week that social distancing and travel measures would be extended until at least May 7.
An integral consideration for Lam will also be whether to help ease cross-border travel restrictions with mainland China, where in fact the virus is thought to have originated and is currently largely under control.
Joining cities all over the world in the battle to halt the virus, Hong Kong has shut schools and several people home based, even though some have slowly began to return to offices previously couple of weeks. It's rare to see anyone not wearing a surgical mask in the city.
Hong Kong has confirmed 1,038 cases and four deaths because the outbreak started in January.
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