🌊 Cinemas close down

COVID takes one of its youngest (and oldest) lives

Good morning.

One of the latest individuals to announce they’ll run for Chief Executive has referred to himself as a “national treasure”. Isn’t that precious? Find out who it is behind today’s paywall.

— Jasmine Lee

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On Today’s Tide

Arts | Two cinemas announce closures, and likely won’t be the last.

COVID-19 | 3-year-old the latest COVID victim. New clinics and spaces converted for COVID patients. Senior government officials are stuck in home quarantine.

Events | Have a belated Valentine’s date at these spots.

Behind the paywall:

Government | Who are the three latest Chief Executive hopefuls?

Crime | Singer Tommy Yuen arrested for sedition. Stealing a refrigerator from the CE’s place doesn’t end well.

Environment | HK rivers are full of drugs.

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Two cinemas announce curtain call

Cinema City Victoria and Broadway Circuit are two cinemas that will be closing down, both of them in part due to the pandemic’s toll on the arts.

Cinema City Victoria, located in Causeway Bay, will be closing after four years of putting on shows. Broadway Circuit in Diamond Hill announced that it will shut down in March.

The chairman of the Hong Kong Motion Picture Industry Association said that theatres missed out on income that could have been earned during the peak Lunar New year season due to pandemic-related restrictions.

“Being ordered to shut because of the pandemic means cinemas have no other income, so many operators are exiting the market altogether because of high rents, deep debts and barely any ticket sales.”

— Crucindo Hung, chairman of the Hong Kong Motion Picture Industry Association

Hung estimates that cinemas could have lost hundreds and millions in profits during the latest COVID-19 restrictions.

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3-year-old the latest COVID-19 victim

Hong Kong SAR Government News @newsgovhk

The Centre for Health Protection says it is investigating 1,619 additional #COVID19 cases, which are all locally infected

news.gov.hkHK reports 1.6k COVID-19 casesThe Centre for Health Protection says it is investigating 1,619 additional COVID-19 cases, which are all locally infected.

New cases: 1,619 (all local)

Deaths: 2

Chief Secretary John Lee is stuck at home in quarantine after his live-in domestic worker was found with COVID-19. Lawmaker Regina Ip is also spending time in home quarantine because her driver caught COVID-19.

The Legislative Council has approved putting HK$27 billion towards the anti-epidemic fund which will support businesses and individuals.

Seven clinics across Hong Kong will provide services to COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms starting today. Public housing flats and hotels will also be fitted to provide 13,000 units for COVID-19 patients.

One of the COVID-19 deaths involved a 3-year-old girl, while the other was a 100-year-old woman. HK has seen 217 total deaths since the start of the pandemic.

The government has ordered 100 million testing kits, which is estimated to be able to last the city three months.

Lockdowns: A block in Sheung Shui was put into lockdown last night due to a preliminary positive case and COVID-positive sewage samples. 13 infections were found during an overnight lockdown in Aberdeen.

The government issued compulsory testing notices for 22 places (see Annex for details).

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Events / Exhibitions etc

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Sit in twos! Get takeout! Go have a picnic!

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