Good morning,

A very happy Easter Monday to everyone- good tides and whatnot. Hope you’re reading this a bit later than usual on account of the holiday.

Keeping with the recent Monday morning tradition of food updates, here’s a recipe showcasing this version of the humble French madeline by Dominique Ansel. Delicious, and pairs very well with tea. For you especially, I’d recommend Twinnings 2020 English Breakfast.

-Charlotte

On Today’s Tide:

1. Economy |

   • Paul Chan on HK’s predicted rebound

   • Renovation industry struggles from 5th wave

2. COVID | (lookit, I’m a poet)

   • Social distancing measures amid Easter festivities

   • Coming this Thursday: relaxation of social-distancing policies!

   • U.S. study finds longterm COVID traces in patients’ feces

3. Breaking | Oil tanker explosion east of HK

4. Events

For premium High Tide readers

1. China | Jilin government defends COVID-19 strategies

2. Ukraine | Mariupol resists, strikes in Kharkiv City

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Chan’s take on HK’s projected rebound

‘Recurring Tide guest’ Paul Chan has predicted that HK’s economy will continue to improve with the de-escalation of the coronavirus situation, following our utterly unique achievement as a city of less than 800 cases for two days in a row.

The finance chief wrote on his official blog, “…we will have a better business environment in the second quarter which will help the economy get rid of the negative growth in the first quarter.”

Economics professor Terence Chong at HK’s Chinese University also says “the government needs to open up Hong Kong” in order to see that bounce back.

Renovation industry struggles- hope for 5th wave’s end?

Meanwhile, the renovation industry has been taking a hard hit since the beginning of the 5th wave. Jobs and projects have frequently been delayed with construction workers either getting infected or switched to other jobs to stay safe. Rising costs and trouble getting supplies from the mainland also contribute towards the industry’s struggles.

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COVID in HK

Aaron Busch @tripperhead

COVID-19 cases 🇭🇰 April 17th • New reported local PCR+ cases: 435 • New reported RAT+ cases: 301 • Local total: 736 • Imported: 11 • Total cases: 1,197,825 • Local cases 5th wave: 1,184,029

8:44 AM ∙ Apr 17, 2022

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Coronavirus in Hong Kong

• New cases: 747 (11 imported)

• Total cases: 1,197,825

• New deaths: 29 (5 backlog)

• Total deaths: 9,139

Mind the gap

HKers taking advantage of the Easter holiday in public places might run into the ‘social-distancing patrols’, bearing their 1.5 metre banners and distributing leaflets about the importance of being properly apart from one another.

Eases on social distancing

As a reminder, the 1st phase of the 3-phrase social distancing relaxation procedures will begin this Thursday. Gyms, cinemas and sports venues will open, and restaurant dine-in hours will be extended.

Well, shit- COVID stays, after all

A recent U.S. study found traces of COVID still in both infected and recovered patients’ feces. In the week following infection, about half of all patients show strands of the virus’ RNA in their fecal matter, while these traces are still to be found in almost 4% of patients after 7 months. From this, researchers concluded that COVID most likely directly infects and then lingers in the gastrointestinal tract.

The Stanford study (it’s from Stanford - that’s how you know it’s legit) claims that this finding may reveal the source of ‘long Covid’, the array of post-infection symptoms that tend to overstay their welcome.

This “viral shedding” would account for community transmission through sewage pipes. Further study is still underway.

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Oil tanker explosion injures 6, kills 1

Around 4pm on Saturday, there was an explosion aboard the Panama-registered oil tanker “Chuang Yi”, which killed 1 crew member and injured 6 others. 13 crew members were on board at the time of the explosion. The vessel was located about 300km east of HK’s waters. Helicopters arrived at about 7pm and 8pm to transport the burned-to-various-degrees crew to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. No reason was given for the explosion.

Events and deals

Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes

• Asia Society Hong Kong Centre is re-opening its doors on April 21st!

Asia Society Hong Kong Center 亞洲協會香港中心 @AsiaSocietyHK

We're reopening on April 21! We can't wait to see you. Take a stroll again on our site, shop in our store or visit our photography exhibition, Recovery, Resilience, Resurgence! #ASHK #site #history #nature #PicturingHK #photography

3:38 AM ∙ Apr 12, 2022

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The Asia Society Hong Kong Centre in Admiralty is set to welcome visitors on-site again from April 21st. The independent, non-governmental educational organisation has a range of upcoming events and exhibitions lined up, which you can learn more about through their listing page here!

Make sure to visit their Recovery, Resilience, Resurgence exhibition in person, extended until 6 June.

Or attend their virtual tour here.

• 🍿 A virtual movie screening for Canadian Film Day on April 20:

With cinemas (still) closed, who wouldn’t be down for some free movies? Be sure to join the Canadian Consulate General of Hong Kong for a free virtual screening of the Canadian drama film “Run Woman Run” in celebration of Canadian Film Day on April 20! Registration details will be announced soon 👀.

Other Events

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