Good morning.

Here’s a treat to start your day:

If you send this to a friend, tell them I sent you.

— Jasmine Lee

Share High Tide

On Today’s Tide

1. Politics | HK$95 million a year for a restructured government.

2. COVID-19 | $2 million for family of a woman who died post-vaccination.

3. Society | Police intervene on Ride of Silence.

4. Events | Row, row, row your dragon boat.

Behind the paywall

1. Transport | Docking off departure taxes from bridge travellers to the airport.

2. Media | Indie book publisher declined a spot at Book Fair. National security police pay a visit to Passion Times.

3. Education | Big new appointments at two of HK’s universities.

4. Crime | Failed boat fugitives caught up in guilty plea. Vandalism at the crypto office.

Become a premium subscriber for just $8US a month – extra daily news and weekend roundups!

Restructuring ain’t cheap!

Politics

All of the Hong Kong government’s reorganising, restructuring, and redoing, will come at a cost, and the cost is not what most of us would consider a credit card tap away.

New additions to the government include two policy bureaus (to make 15 in total) along with a number of new roles. The total to make this happen? HK$95 million extra a year.

New Chief Executive John Lee said that “relevant work” for this big revamp should be completed by mid-June. Speaking of Mr Lee, here’s a reminder to keep your eye on our Chief Executive Countdown!

Share

Clusters galore

COVID-19

An update on the COVID-19 clusters popping up around the city:

• Private kitchen in Kwun Tong: +6, 26 total

• Sky Cuisine restaurant in Sheung Wan: +6, 70 total

• TamJai Yunnan Mixian in Tung Chung: +3

• Hung Hom snooker club: +1

Hong Kong SAR Government News @newsgovhk

The Centre for Health Protection says it is investigating 329 additional #COVID19 cases, of which 127 were detected by nucleic acid tests and 202 were identified via rapid antigen tests

news.gov.hk329 virus cases reportedThe Centre for Health Protection says it is investigating 329 additional COVID-19 cases, of which 127 were detected by nucleic acid tests and 202 were identified via rapid antigen tests.

12:54 PM ∙ May 18, 2022

Coronavirus in Hong Kong

• New cases: 329 (31 imported)

• Deaths: 4

• Lockdown: West Terrace at Sai Wan Estate in Kennedy Town was blocked off for overnight testing.

• Compulsive Testing Notice: 40 specified places

• The family of a woman who died 16 days after she was vaccinated for COVID-19 (Pfizer-BioNTech) has been financially compensated with HK$2 million.

Police stop Ride of Silence

Society

hkghostbikes

A post shared by James Ockenden (@hkghostbikes)

Hong Kong Ghost Bikes is a project that pays respect to those who died in bicycle-related accidents. In 2021, eight riders died in such crashes.

The Ghost Bikes Ride of Silence last night was followed by a heavy police presence. According to the group, despite following anti-epidemic rules by keeping the ride to a group of four people, an estimated group of 30 police officers halted the ride.

Share High Tide

Events and deals

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

• DC Dragon Boat Festival

wethehongkongers

A post shared by We The Hongkongers (@wethehongkongers)

To bring attention to an international Hong Kong event, Hongkongers will be taking part in the Washington DC Dargon Boat Festival and will be proud to represent Hongkongers everywhere!

Open Division: 250m & 500m

When: 21 May, 9 AM - 4 PM
Location: Thompsons Boat Center (2900 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007)

250m Time Trail: 9:32 AM
250m Final: 10:20-11:28 AM
500m Time Trial: 1:20 PM
500m Final: 2:40-3:48 PM

• ReThink HK 5-6 October

As a High Tide subscriber, you get to enjoy super-early-bird prices until 4 Sep (already expired for everyone else in early May).

Sign up here using the code HTP22 for 40% off a standard ticket!

HT is proud to be once again a media partner for ReThink - HK’s biggest and most exciting sustainability conference. This year’s conference invites more than 300 expert speakers to share their visions and insights, covering important topics like economic progression while coexisting with nature harmoniously, efficient use of resources, transformation to a low-carbon society, and circular economy for future generations.

Share

This is the end of your free time on Tide.

Become a Premium subscriber to see what lies behind the paywall:

Can’t go Premium yet? No worries, there are other ways to support High Tide:

• Buy us a Ko-fi

• Send us a one-time donation via PayPal

• Share High Tide – it’s free!

• Open a business account with Neat and get a US$65 welcome gift (we get $65 in return)!

Share High Tide