🌊 Feel the wrath of testing centre queuers
🌊 Feel the wrath of testing centre queuers
11-year-old involved in "naked chat" scam
Good morning.
We’ve recently added a new member to our social media team at Harbour Times! Please welcome Yassin, who I’m sure will have opportunities in the future to give himself a more formal introduction.
You’ll see what he’ll be bringing to our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) very soon, so keep an eye out!
On Today’s Tide
COVID-19 | Long queues cut off at the testing centre’s closing time enrages people who waited hours.
COVID-19 | Case numbers, public service adjustments, and more.
Events | Get yourself a red envelope at La Cabane!
Behind the paywall:
Government | Civil servants to undergo new national security training.
Crime | 11-year-old blackmailed in “naked chat” scam. Former Baptist University student union president acquitted of laser pointer charges. And more.
Diplomat | 21 nations statement expresses concerns of HK’s press freedoms.
Testing waits driven by lockdowns send hours-long queuers into a rage
Hong Kong’s latest lockdowns have had many folks furious due to the long queues that went well into the evening. In the case of one testing centre, the staff closed on time at 8 PM while over 100 people were still waiting to get tested, some of them had been waiting there since as early as 5 PM. Some people in line needed to get tested or they would be technically breaking the law.
People were pissed. If police officers weren’t present I’m fairly sure medical staff would have gotten more than an angry string of words thrown at them.
Testing centres weren’t the only spots experiencing long waits. Hair salons saw long queues out the door as people rushed to get in one last haircut before salons will be forced to close today. In case you didn’t realise hair salons were part of the suspended services, here’s SCMP’s guide on the latest social distancing measures.
Other lockdown updates:
The lockdown at Leung Kit Estate in Tuen Mun has been extended another night – making it four nights in total. 70 people at Leung Kit House have tested positive since the lockdown began.
Shing Yin House of Tin Shing Court in Tin Shui Wai was put under lockdown after sewage samples tested positive. Parts of Yuen Long and Tai Po were put into lockdown as well after finding COVID-19 in sewage samples.
A lockdown in Tai Wai’s Mei Fung House at Mei Lam Estate found 15 positive cases.
Four preliminary positives were found from an overnight lockdown at Wang Chi House in Wang Fuk Court (Tai Po).
Mandatory testing at Discovery Bay brought a long queue in front of the testing centre.
29 positive cases were found in Sham Shui Po at Fu Fuet House in Fu Cheong Estate.
COVID-19: Case numbers and more
New cases: 1,161 (8 imported)
Deaths: 2
Public service closures:
Postal services in Aberdeen and Tseung Kwan O have been put on hold after staff members tested positive for COVID. The Aberdeen office was closed yesterday and will also be closed today (Thurs 10 February), while the Tseung Kwan O office will be closed today and tomorrow.
The Social Welfare Department’s office at Wu Chung House in Wan Chai is closing due to a COVID-positive staff member.
Other COVID updates
Appointments for children (age 5-11) to get their BioNTech vaccination were all gone in just hours of opening up for availabilities.
Royal Caribbean cut its cruises to nowhere due to HK’s strict pandemic restrictions, moving the ship to Singapore.
Former Cathay Pacific flight attendants who violated quarantine rules in 2021 were granted bail.
Events
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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!
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