Gabriel Leung urges HK government to close restaurants and bars if citizens keep going out
As Hong Kong’s confirmed coronavirus cases keep increasing in the past week, Dr. Gabriel Leung, head of the University of Hong Kong faculty of medicine, urged citizens to exercise self-discipline and reduce unnecessary commuting. If not so, the government can take reference to the UK’s policies to close restaurants, bars and other entertainment venues so as to control the spread of the virus.
“Restaurants can also consider suspending dinners and offering only takeaway services,” said Leung on a television programme Saturday. “If we can overcome these several weeks with whatever means, I think we can avoid continuous local outbreaks.”
If citizens cannot self-discipline voluntarily, the government should step up to invoke restrictions by law, while ensuring grass root employees a certain income to sustain their living, said Leung. “Such policies should be made promptly, preferably within several days. It’s a painful decision but time doesn’t wait.”
