Good morning.
One of my friends over at SCMP recently made her very own podcast! I strongly recommend you guys check it out, as it tackles some very pressing issues facing Hong Kong’s literary community in today’s changing political climate. Click here to listen on Spotify, or click below to learn more! 👇🏼
— Carlos
On Today’s Tide:
Politics | Hong Kong is “more unequal” and “less free” ahead of CE Carrie Lam’s departure from office
COVID-19 |
First day of even more relaxed social-distancing measures! 🎉
ESF to give all its students a HK$1,600 COVID-19 relief grant
Events
Behind the paywall:
CE Election | John Lee vows to help keep HK international to the foreign business community
Crime |
Online investment scams on the rise in HK
Two arrested over illegal sale of e-cigarette products
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HK is now “more unequal, less free” 📉
Politics
Analysts yesterday said that Hong Kong became a more unequal city under outgoing Chief Executive Carrie Lam, noting that its freedoms and international shine deteriorated significantly during her five-year tenure as the city’s first female leader.
From the unprecedented 2019 social unrest to inconsistent and conflicting COVID-19 policies, Lam is now on track to leave office in June with the lowest approval ratings of any Chief Executive since the July 1997 handover. All this despite her describing Hong Kong as "much stronger than ever" during her final policy address last October.
First day of further social-distancing relaxations! 🥳
COVID-19
The government’s second phase of social-distancing relaxation came into effect yesterday, meaning that many Hongkongers were excited to be out and about again! The mask mandate for outdoor sports and exercise was finally lifted, with beaches re-opening and the maximum number of people per table at restaurants raised to eight from four.
People were seen flocking to beaches as well as parks, playgrounds, and basketball courts for mask-free activities yesterday:
New cases: 321 (148 PCR, 173 RAT, 17 imported)
Total cases: 1,205,717
New deaths: 5 (0 backlog)
Total deaths: 9,333
Other COVID-19 updates:
• ESF, Hong Kong’s largest English-language international school organisation, announced yesterday it will give each of its more than 18,000 students a HK$1,600 relief grant amid the “challenging times” brought about by the pandemic.
• HKUST students will soon be required to have received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter campus, in accordance with the government’s ‘vaccine pass’ requirements.
• A union spokesperson yesterday warned Hong Kong has a “serious lifeguard shortage”, saying beach-goers should be extra careful as social-distancing curbs ease. The government urged the public not to swim at beaches without lifeguards.
Lockdown updates:
• Authorities yesterday announced that they uncovered 10 COVID-19 cases during the compulsory testing exercises for restricted areas in Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan.
Events and deals
Support Harbour Times, our friends, and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes.
Mother's Day Vegan Leather Keychain Workshop @ The Mills Fabrica
Instead of gifting your mother some chocolates or flowers for her special day, why not consider a sustainable, personalised leather keychain that represents your love?
In this workshop, learn more about vegan leather provided by Genuinely Not Leather and how to make a keychain by yourself. The Sustainable Leather Keychain is made of vegan cactus leather, a cruelty-free and sustainable alternative to traditional leather. This thoughtful heart shape keychain is functional yet distinguishes your mom's keys from others, allowing her to carry your love along!
When: 7-8 May, 2-6:00 p.m (3 sessions, click here for registration and details)
Where: Fabrica X, Shop 108, The Mills, Tsuen Wan
Price: HK$280 (for those aged 12 and above), children under 12 can join with a parent for free
Watch The Open Couple live!
Event description: “In this farce about sexual politics in marriage, a man persuades his suicidal wife that an open marriage is politically correct and embarks on dalliances with younger women, to her dismay and fury. After deciding to be on her own, the tables are turned when she confesses to a new man, Nobel prize nominated professor and inspired singer-songwriter, it is the husband who becomes suicidal.”
Shoutout to The Open Couple’s director and High Tide subscriber Ryan King for sharing the event!
When: 11-14 May at 8 p.m.
Where: HKRep Black Box, 8F, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, 345 Queen’s Rd Central, Sheung Wan
Price: $250
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