Factors That Helps Hong Kong Combat Covid-19 Without Stringent Lockdown

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3 years ago

November 2, 2020

Photo credit: scmp.com

If you will walk in the streets of Hong Kong, you will see that malls, restaurants, stores, and other establishments are fully open, even gyms and nightclubs, none of them have closed at all despite the coronavirus outbreak.

Hong Kong reported its confirmed covid19 case on January 22, 2020. The city did go to phased closures of government offices, schools, and bars, but other services are unaffected, such as restaurants and other dining services, malls, shops, public transits, and trains.

Out of 75 million people in Hong Kong, it only recorded around 1,200 cases for the end of June. As a percentage, this amounts to an infection rate of less than 1%. Being just a few miles away from mainland China where the virus occurred, it is pretty impressive that the city only recorded less than a 1% rate of covid-19 cases.

Compared to Singapore which is another dense city in Asia, the city recorded more than 43, 000 cases amid an outbreak in migrant worker housing. Both cities recorded similar infected rates at the start, but Singapore recorded a surge of cases causing the city to enact lockdown measures. By contrast, Hong Kong has zero cases in consecutive weeks.

On the other hand, the United States, with more than 80,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. There are no developments on the necessary safety measures to contain the situation. By contrast, Hong Kong only had four confirmed deaths in total over the past many months. 

Hong Kong being a dense city, the situation could have been bad. Public transits are always packed, cities are always crowded by different locals and tourists. High-rise housings are squeezed into scarcely available space. There is only limited open public space, and a small room to naturally spread out. In fact, more than two and a half million people arrived in Hong Kong from mainland China in January. However, the people kept up their vigilance in responding to the pandemic crisis. 


So, how exactly did Hong Kong do it?

Here are the five factors which resulted in the city defeating the covid-19 while avoiding the lockdown.

1. SARS Trauma

At the end of January, most people on the streets of Hong Kong were already wearing face masks. Not because the government required it, but because Hong Kong people remember what happened in 2003.

The Hong Kong flag is draped over the coffin of Lau Wing-kai, a Hong Kong nurse who died of SARS in April 2003 at the funeral service at Gallant Garden, a graveyard reserved for those who died serving the community May 7, 2003. Photo: Peter Parks/AFP (from hongkongfp.com)

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) affected the city particularly hard in 2003. It eventually infected 1,755 people. 299 Hong Kong people died in 2003, which includes the eight healthcare workers, denoting a casualty rate of 17 percent. The SARS outbreak was deemed the gloomiest period in Hong Kong’s history. [¹]

Due to the crisis, the government has created the Center for Health Protection which specializes in disease prevention and control.

Photo credit: hongkongfp.com

Because of their experiences, Hong Kong people are much more alert and intelligent when facing the covid-19 outbreak. When they heard about the virus, they really took it seriously. People already know what exactly to do to control the virus and the consequences that could happen if they do not take all the safety measures against the virus.

2. Strict protocols and border control

Photo credit: scmp.com

In late January, Hong Kong increased its response to the highest emergency level and has since carried out a range of safety measures to contain the coronavirus. Nine borders were closed leaving the remaining free opened to facilitate the flow of goods. As the situation escalated, all non-residents were banned from entering the city, starting on March 25. Those who arrived had to go through a strict 14-day quarantine regardless of its negative test results.

Photo credit: cn.reuters.com

Those who will be quarantined are required to wear an electronic wristband. It allows the government to track the location of the wearer through an app at all times. And those who will not follow the protocol will be fined HK$25,000  ($3,225) and six months imprisonment.

The city gradually lowered some of its border controls as infection levels plunged at the end of April.


3. Contact tracing

Contact tracing is used to locate people who may have been exposed to Covid-19.

Photo credit: libguides.lb.polyu.edu.hk

Since March 19, 2020, all arrivals from overseas to Hong Kong are mandated to go through mandatory 14-day isolation whether at home or a designated hotel.

Anybody who would have had contact with the confirmed case is also required to self-isolate. All cases in Hong Kong are highly investigated, from their whereabouts to places they have been to, and the government will immediately contact those establishment owners to conduct immediate safety measures. The Hong Kong government has an interactive map online that shows detailed information about all the confirmed cases in the city, such as the residents and how they are infected.


4. Centralized Government

Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org

Another factor that likely helps combat the covid-19 is the fact that the city has a centralized government.

Different cities and counties around the world have been accused of mismanaging the covid-19 outbreak. For example, those countries like the US has a different approach as a response to the pandemic crisis, and the big population makes it much more challenging for the government to contain the virus. The British response, on the other hand, was one that lacked a clear strategy.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong already had a Center for Health Protection specializing in disease prevention and control, which was created in the wake of the SARS crisis. Furthermore, the small population of Hong Kong made it easier for the government to monitor and control the activities of its people as opposed to how it is to cities and countries with a bigger population.


5. Cultural outlook and Political factor

Photo credit: eu.boell.org

The final factor of how Hong Kong combat covid-19 is because of its cultural habits. The cultural outlook plays a large role in the way the outbreak has been contained in a place like Hong Kong.

According to Professor Fukuda, professor and director at the School of Public Health at The University of Hong Kong told CNBC,

"In Asia, there is a very significant degree of concern about other people, about taking care of each other," he said. "In the States, it has really exposed that there are big cultural differences in the country. So, whether you are in rural areas or the cities, whether you are in red states or blue states."


Fukuda also emphasized how politicization hindered the U.S. to contain the pandemic. The government received backlash from the public when it tries to impose safety measures amid covid-19. Wearing face masks have become a stream of controversy as many Americans insist that it is against individual freedom. The anti-face mask stance is also stronger amongst Republicans than Democrats, including political figures.

Whereas, in Hong Kong, the pandemic has brought people closer together. And due to the trauma of the people brought by SARS, the government and the people always have a positive approach to public health issues. Citizens together with foreign workers always follow the protocols amid covid-19 which helps the country combat the coronavirus.


In more than three years of living here in Hong Kong, the first thing I have noticed is, people are always alert and intelligent when it comes to handling cases like virus outbreak and even upcoming typhoon. People have their 'Sentido Common' on what things to do, what necessary stuff you need to store, and how to deal with the current circumstances.

The government gives financial support to all citizens regardless of its status (rich or poor) to buy necessary stuff for the pandemic, such as face masks, sanitizers, house cleaning materials, and more. As early as January, classes are suspended to protect the students from being infected by the virus, and online classes are implemented. The classes only resumed last month of August to take their last academic examination. After the summer break, schools started its new school year in September and all are back to normal.

As of now, office workers are back in business. The city also reopened its gyms and even nightclubs. At restaurants, no more social distancing, and tables can be occupied by more than 2 persons. Unlike these past few months that only two persons are allowed to occupy each table.

In fact, the citThe of a competent government when Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, failed to impose an effective response to the long-run protest movement which flooded the city in 2019. And the city's economy was already in a slump even before the coronavirus outbreak.

But due to people's initiative and cooperation, maintaining safety measures, following the protocols, it is truly impressive that the city has managed to defeat the coronavirus and avoid stringent lockdowns. Hong Kong also teaches that even when the government is not that helpful, people are not helpless.

Everything now is back to normal except for people wearing masks while outside their homes and mandatory temperature checking when entering any establishments. I can say that I am blessed and lucky that I am here in Hong Kong during this pandemic crisis - safe and secured.


Written by: @Jane



Sources:

[¹] https://www.google.com/amp/s/hongkongfp.com/2017/02/19/pictures-hong-kong-2003-sars-epidemic/


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/07/03/how-hong-kong-beat-coronavirus-and-avoided-lockdown.html

Lead image from coronavirus.gov.hk

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Comments

If only there was a better system here and an actual pand3mic plan but i don't think people learned from the sars outbreak despite the fact that we can very well afford treatment naman.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

People there doesn't have discipline and cooperation.. Its like in US where people are always complaining... It is all about people actually.. Not only about the system nor the government.. Just like here, even without any protocols. People will be able to handle the crisis, they have their own initiative

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Ahh the initiative is definitely something we lack but i think it goes with education too seeing as hongkong is definitely a more educated population than in the states or here thus they won't need explanations as to why they need to do some things because it should be common sense but it's not here

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Surprisingly, many HK people don't even have a high educational attainment.. . I guess being in a well-advanced country is also the factor. People gain knowledge through the use of technology. And honestly, many HK people are kind of overacting, but I guess that helps them combat the virus.. They don't even want to get a simple virus, they are too picky and sensitive as well.. So when it comes to more serious virus, no need for any protocols, they will really impose safety measures for themselves

$ 0.00
3 years ago

That too is what we lack here, i guess. We don't really care whether we're infected or not or about other stuff related to healthcare because we lack awareness most of the time. Plus there's also the case that we honestly underestimate almost everything, right? Like "oh, lagnat lang yan, iinom mo na lang ng damo dyan" or whatever herbal weeds we have here. We always wait until it's at the terminal stage already

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Haha..exactly... Pahid pahid, inom herbal.. Ganun.. Lack of awareness... Lahat na ata ugali and pamahiin nsa pinas..

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Di naman, i mean, we're improving and all kaso the older generations still

$ 0.00
3 years ago

I like how they managed and controlled their people with protocols. What a good example of a developed country with good people. Hayss sana gnito din sa Pinas, wala munang reklamo kung may new implementation for the safety. I hope people will learn to appreciate even simplest things the government has done to them. Wag naman puro blame at point fingers. Though may pagkukulang man at least ginagawa din namna nila ang very best for the people.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Ganuj mgacpinoy.. Kpgvmy failure, ibiblame lahat sa gobyerno... Pro isipin naman nla.. May naitutulong b mga tao? Wala actually.. Puro bibig pinapairal.. Pera lng nsa isipan

$ 0.00
3 years ago

The corona virus rate here in the Philippines has risen drastically because people here thinks that they are better than the government's protocol 🙄

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Lol.. That's the main problem there.. The people.. They always thought government policies are useless. Always complain of anything imposed by the government... It is as if they can help a little... It is always about the people.. No country succeed without people's help..

$ 0.00
3 years ago

That's right. Though there are some obvious corruptions happening, still the government are doing its best to stop the spread of the virus.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Yes and with that kind of President, for sure he is trying his best.. The problem is the people.. Lack of cooperation..and many are still ignorant and some are really arrogant. Lol

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3 years ago

Correct! Very unlike to thee people there in Hong Kong.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

There are arrogant people here , but with sense haha

$ 0.00
3 years ago

The Chinese and Japanese have always been a disciplined people.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

True.... japan has lesser cases too compare to US and france

$ 0.00
3 years ago

The people in Hongkong are all disciplined, but how about in other country? Some even held a protest fro somwthing just to, hmmmm. If only all of the people in the world has a discipline eight, I'm sure there will be no more cases.

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3 years ago

Yes in America, there were protests pertaining to wearing mask, as they said it hinders their freedom. Thos are anti maskers... They don't care of the fact that wearin masks can save their lives..

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3 years ago

Seriously, so freedom is more important to them than their lives, what a @$#@$.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

That is how they thinks.. Haha.. You know how americans are..

$ 0.00
3 years ago

mapapasana all ka na lang talaga. Leaders in Hong Kong are truly leaders kasi they manage to control the crowd and avoid too much cases of COVID-19 and poeple their are good followeres unlike here in our country. Puro pambabash and alam at pagpapakulong or huli sa mga against sa government.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Tama.. Dto kht hndi sabihinng gobyerno, magwrqear ng masks tlga.. At kht dati pa wala virus, nka mask na kmi dahl dun sa mass rally na gumagmit ng teargas... Cguro isa dn yun nakatulong dto..maaga naagapan ang pagkalat ng virus

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3 years ago

I see. Parang naging blessing in disguise yung nangyari ne

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3 years ago

The problem with another country is not all in government but its people who lack discipline and hard-headed. Do not follow what is instructed but complains a lot.

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3 years ago

True. take US and Ph 😅 people always complain.. But not even cooperating .. How can a country solve its issue if people won't cooperate.. Even how good the system is if people aren't listening, it is still useless

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3 years ago

Exactly the major problems are on its people, they should be disciplined first. PH people and US people are equally in complaints and blame China lol

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3 years ago

Haha.. Meanwhile, in china where the virus emerged easily solve the issue.. Because no ones complains. They just follow the protocols.. And the fact that HK is just few steps away from China, and many chinese people moved here last January, still the cases didn't surge.. All are under control.. Because of the help of the people.

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3 years ago

Yeah, I wonder why it's so hard to follow protocols if they didn't complain and follow directly what is instructed maybe covid19 now is already solved.

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3 years ago

True.. I guess the cases of this covid-19 are worst than sars already.

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3 years ago

Yes, but the mortality rate is lower than sars it only lacks proper preventive measures to stop the spread but due to undisciplined people it has gotten worse.

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3 years ago

Exactly.. People should be the one to blame not the government

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3 years ago

But due to people's initiative and cooperation, maintaining safety measures, following the protocols, it is truly impressive that the city has managed to defeat the coronavirus and avoid stringent lockdowns.

lately, I was chatting with one ofw relative there in hk. asking how they are, how things are going, how they are dealing with the pandemic.. and that was what she told me also. thank goodness that everything's going smoothly in there.. disiplina lng tlga ang pinakakailangan..

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3 years ago

True.. Kung sa pinas ganun mga tao.. Hndi sna lulubo ang cases jan.. Kaso puro reklamo lng

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3 years ago

May God end this pendmic soon.....

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3 years ago

Rest of the world should need to learn from Hong Kong. The way this countrys peoples handle this pandemic is really inspiring. Our country is not lucky or maybe our people is not aware as like Hong Kong's people.

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3 years ago

I think they are aware..however, they tend to complain more than to execute the protocol..

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3 years ago

Yeah , you have point.

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3 years ago

There's a cooperation between the people and the government. And they are well disciplined in there while some even told about wearing a mask or stay at home, some won't be bothered and just carry on doing what they are doing.

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3 years ago

That is how we fight virus here.. People here are also alert for upcoming typhoon.. They always prepare things ahead of time.. Just like how people here handle the covid-19.. Life is precious for them. Unlike for some that are even complaining of wearing masks.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

That too is what we lack here, i guess. We don't really care whether we're infected or not or about other stuff related to healthcare because we lack awareness most of the time. Plus there's also the case that we honestly underestimate almost everything, right? Like "oh, lagnat lang yan, iinom mo na lang ng damo dyan" or whatever herbal weeds we have here. We always wait until it's at the terminal stage already

$ 0.00
3 years ago

@Hanzell 😂

$ 0.00
3 years ago

Orz that's bad!

$ 0.00
3 years ago

I like your article.really good.

$ 0.00
3 years ago

the right measures are taken, the people are disciplined and the results are good.

$ 0.00
3 years ago