For Hong Kong residents hoping the city will end its strict quarantine policies soon, the city’s new health secretary isn’t likely to inspire confidence.
Lo Chung-mau, approved by Beijing over the weekend as part of new Chief Executive John Lee’s Cabinet, made headlines in February saying that Hong Kong needed to maintain Covid Zero because living with the virus would “get us all killed.” At the time, he said the US and Europe were only easing restrictions because they failed to control Covid-19.
Lo appeared to soften his tone during his first meeting with the press on Sunday, saying that not all of the mainland’s Covid-19 guidelines are right for Hong Kong. He vowed to implement an “evidence-based Covid policy” to allow Hong Kong to reconnect with both the international community and mainland China, echoing a line frequently voiced by other city officials.
“By employing scientific, effective and precise control measures, the maximum results can be achieved with the minimum cost,” Lo said, citing a slogan frequently found in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speeches and Communist Party propaganda.
Lo, 61, will be a key figure in deciding whether Hong Kong finally backs away from the harsh Covid policies that have cut off the once financial hub from the world, even if main competitor Singapore opens up fully. Alongside a seven-day quarantine for travelers, the city is still forcing some low-infection cases and close contacts into spartan isolation camps while issuing mandatory testing notices to thousands of people almost daily.
The new leader, Lee, who takes office on July 1, has not indicated whether he will change his policy.
Outgoing CEO Carrie Lam said over the weekend Hong Kong’s strict border control measures were “unsustainable,” the South China Morning Post reported. She quoted them as saying the business world was losing patience and a decision on whether to ease policy must be made soon.