HK to extend social distancing measures for another 2 weeks

Hong Kong, April 21 (IANS) Hong Kong will extend its social distancing measures for another 14 days to ensure the COVID-19 pandemic will be completely controlled, Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced on Tuesday.

The announcement comes as the measures were initially set to expire on Thursday midnight, reports Xinhua news agency.

Addressing the media, Lam stressed that the anti-pandemic measures cannot stop at present, or all the efforts that Hong Kong has made could be wasted.

The social distancing measures put in place by the city government include limiting group gatherings and catering services and shutting multiple types of entertainment venues from bars and karaoke lounges.

Hong Kong’s Center for Health Protection said no new confirmed COVID-19 case was recorded in Hong Kong on Monday, the first time in more than 45 days, and the case tally remained at 1,025 in total.

After weeks of surging imported cases as well as local clustered outbreaks, Hong Kong has seen a single-digit daily increase for more than one week thanks to effective measures by the city government.

–IANS

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