The central government agreed to gradually and orderly complete customs clearance. The Hong Kong government strives to implement it by mid-January next year, but it coincides with the intensification of the new crown pneumonia epidemic in Hong Kong. The number of single-day confirmed cases recorded more than 20,000 for the third consecutive day yesterday (25th). 50 more patients died, tying the record of last Wednesday (21st). Jin Dongyan, a professor of biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, said in a radio program today (26th) that many cities in the Mainland are in the “tsunami period” of the epidemic. If customs clearance is implemented before the middle of next month, it will definitely bring risks to the epidemic in Hong Kong. If infected, returning to Hong Kong for medical treatment will put pressure on medical resources, but the risk is controllable.
Jin predicts that there will not be many people in the early stage of customs clearance. Even if some people are infected, there will not be too many severe cases, and the mild cases may be the main ones. It is believed that tourists from the Mainland may mainly buy medicines and receive mRNA vaccines. The government should be prepared to increase the number of vaccines purchased. In order to avoid wasting public funds, non-local residents who receive vaccinations in Hong Kong can be charged. He believes that customs clearance may not necessarily remove all restrictions. Mainlanders still have to undergo nucleic acid testing before coming to Hong Kong, and following arriving in Hong Kong, they will undergo nucleic acid testing, etc. Even infected people can be found. In addition, depending on the situation at the initial stage of customs clearance, a decision can be made on whether to add an entry quota to Hong Kong, or whether to increase the number of nucleic acid tests following arrival in Hong Kong.
For the number of confirmed cases exceeding 20,000 for three consecutive days, the gold index does not need to worry too much regarding when the number of confirmed cases will peak or fall. The epidemic situation in Hong Kong has been stable since May. I believe that the chance of another major outbreak is not high. The most important thing is the number of severe cases and deaths If it is well controlled, sometimes the number rises and it will not pose a great danger to society as a whole.
