This archive report was first published on 15 July 2020.
July 15, 2020
Hong Kong, once hailed as a success story in tackling the coronavirus, is now facing a worrying resurgence of the disease.
With over 200 local infections recorded in the last two weeks, health authorities have described the situation as 'very worrying', with more than 70 of the recent cases having an unknown origin.
As a result, the government has reimposed tough new restrictions, including making facemasks compulsory on public transport, with those who breach the rules facing a HK$5,000 ($650) fine.
A 70-year-old man was the first to be arrested for not wearing a mask on the city's subway under the new regulations, local newspaper Apple Daily reported.
Other restrictions also applied from Wednesday to many businesses in a city already mired in recession, including public gatherings of more than four people being banned, and several businesses such as gyms, salons, bars, nightclubs, and karaoke lounges being ordered to close.
Restaurants can seat customers for breakfast and lunch, but can only serve takeaway food from 6:00 pm to 5:00 am.
"We don't know how the customers will react to the latest restriction yet as many of them might not even want to come out to get take-outs," Ah Long, manager of a restaurant in North Point, told AFP.
