Good morning.
Did any of you realise that foods you didn’t enjoy growing up weren’t at fault, it was just that your parents didn’t know how to cook? That was my Twitter revelation of the day.
Also, we’re still looking for a News Writer Intern – share this with anyone who may fit the bill!
— Jasmine “shameful Twitter plug” Lee


On Today’s Tide
COVID-19 | Explaining the Stay Home Safe Scheme.
COVID-19 | Tighter social distancing rules prohibits 2+ household gatherings. Another day of 600+ cases. HK$10,000 subsidies for unemployed. Lockdown updates.
Events | Lai see special at La Cabane!
Behind the paywall:
Government | The Chief Executive Election next month is still good to go.
Crime | Australia can’t reach a dual citizen detained in Hong Kong under the NSL.
Education | CityU’s Student Union gets the boot.
Stay Home Safe, Explained
The SCMP has published an article explaining the Stay Home Safe scheme – namely the eligibility and logistics of home quarantine (and it’s completely free for all readers). The gist is that people of generally sound health who are close contacts of COVID-19 patients are allowed to quarantine at home for 14 days after undergoing an assessment. This option is available to those with a home “suitable” for quarantine, which basically means if you live in a subdivided flat or shared space, you may still have to head to Penny’s Bay.
New social distancing rules tighter than ever
In the latest social distancing measures, Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced that no more than two households are permitted to gather in private. The number of people allowed to gather in public has decreased from four to two. Public spaces such as places of worship, shopping malls, department stores, supermarkets, wet markets and hair salons, will all experience changes to their opening schedules. Places of worship and hair salons will have to close between 10 and 24 February. Dental offices and post offices have suspended their services as well.


New cases: 625 (4 imported)
Death: 1
Whether it is electronic or physical, make sure that your COVID-19 vaccine pass has a QR code on it for staff or security to scan and let you in to the premises, which will be mandatory as of 24 February. People without vaccine passes will be exempt if they need to walk through a shopping mall to get home/to work.
The government is planning to give HK$10,000 to individuals who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
Testing has been ordered for people who have visited parts of Discovery Bay, Sha Tin, and Tin Shui Wai due to sewage that tested positive in the areas.
Lockdown updates:
28 preliminary positive cases were found after lockdown on two blocks of flats in Sha Tin.
Wang Chi House and Wang Shing House of Wang Fuk Court, on Tai Po Road, went into lockdown Tuesday night.
The lockdown in Sham Shui Po’s Fu Yuet House has been extended for another day after 22 people tested positive after an overnight operation. Partial evacuation was ordered of the building.
Know someone who could use quick daily COVID updates? Tell them about High Tide.
Events
We want to make sure that what we advertise is interesting for our readers, so if you go to an event that you saw here, let us know by taking a selfie and tagging us on Twitter or Instagram ( both @harbourtimes ).
We’ll throw in a free month of Paid High Tide for yourself or a friend!
CNY isn’t over at La Cabane
Get a lai see from La Cabane if you dine in or buy at the cellar/online with a purchase of over HK$500. This lai see can include anything from a bottle of wine to an exclusive discount. Offer ends 15 February.
The owner of La Cabane is a fan of Harbour Times but this message is not sponsored. Go support this local business and get yourself a lai see!
That Beer Thing - Equilibrium vs Range: Beer Judge Livestream
Get hopped up - our Leader of the Week, Luigi, alongside other beer connoisseurs will be livestreaming a battle of the beers, blind tasted, this Wednesday evening. Free to watch and guaranteed to learn something whether you’re already a beer geek or just wanting to see them get drunk.
Where: online (link to stream here)
When: Wed 9 Feb, 9pm
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