Good morning.

I just came across a goal I wrote in my notebook earlier this year where I wanted to reach 2,000 subscribers on High Tide by the end of 2021. To my amazement, our current readership looks like this:

It would be a dream come true to see us gain 108 followers by the end of the year. We can only do this if you share High Tide with anyone you think would benefit from our daily newsletter.

On that note, what did you like about High Tide this year? Do you have a favourite segment? Let me know!

— Jasmine Lee

PS High Tide is late since Substack broke down on me in the middle of its completion so apologies for Tide coming out later than it’s meant to!

Today on Tide:

1. Lamma ferry collision report kept secret

2. Homeless get app-less option: COVID-19 News

3. Dropping like pigeons

4. Recovery, Resilience, Resurgence: Events / Exhibitions, etc.

Paid readers get access to

1. Hong Kong Island West candidates & other election news

2. HKEX court case comes to a close: Other headlines on our radar

Investigation on Lamma ferry crash a mystery

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that the report on a 2012 Lamma ferry crash would not be made available to the public due to “privacy concerns”.

In 2012 a Lamma ferry collided with another boat and capsised – this resulted in the death of 39 people, making it the worst maritime incident in Hong Kong over the last 50 years. Eight children were amongst the victims in this accident.

“I understand the feelings of the victim’s families, but after all, Hong Kong is a place with rule of law. So if all the legal processes are done… we must respect it.”

— Carrie Lam on her concern over personal data and privacy

Homeless given app-less option

And other COVID-19 news.

The mandatory use requirement of the LeaveHomeSafe app will not apply to the homeless who do not have access to a smartphone. People under this exemption will need to acquire a certificate issued by an NGO.

“The government has been following up with groups that provide services to this type of people, and will soon finalise the arrangement. We will then allow these groups to issue certificates as soon as possible. So these people can show the certificates when they enter the premises.”

— Diane Wong, Deputy Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene

People will need the app to enter all restaurants, gyms, hotels, cinemas, and other establishments from tomorrow (Thursday 9 December) onward. Folks who are above the age of 65 and below 15 can just write their information down on a form.

Hong Kong SAR Government News @newsgovhk

The Government announces that non-Hong Kong residents who have stayed in Argentina, Croatia, Fiji and Latvia within 21 days are not be allowed to enter the city from December 10 due to #Omicron cases detected in such countries #COVID19

news.gov.hkTighter arrival rules setThe Government announces that non-Hong Kong residents who have stayed in Argentina, Croatia, Fiji and Latvia within 21 days are not be allowed to enter the city from December 10 due to Omicron cases detected in such countries.

1:03 PM ∙ Dec 7, 2021

New cases: 5 (imported)

Current social distancing measures will be extended until 22 December, and the government will consider expanding its Vaccine Bubble in order to encourage vaccination rates in the SAR.

The University of Hong Kong will be requiring vaccine passports in order to enter the campus and weekly self-test kits for those who cannot get vaccinated.

Business travellers will be given the priority for travel to the mainland when the border reopens between it and the SAR.

Compulsory testing notices have been gazetted for 20 specified premises.

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Dropping like pigeons

Hong Kong’s pigeons are dying by the dozens in the space of two days all over a public estate in Tai Po.

The bodies of 30 pigeons and one sparrow were found all over the grounds of Heng Yiu House, Fu Heng Estate. Allegedly 10 other pigeons were found in a state of distress. Police are sending samples to the lab and are unsure of possible causes, which could range from poisoning or virus transmission.

I don’t like pigeons, but I certainly don’t like dead ones either.

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Events / Exhibitions, etc.

Planning to attend any events we share? Let us know by tagging us @harbourtimes on Twitter or Instagram or @HarbourTimesHK on Facebook.

Here is an exhibition you should visit next week:

From the exhibition website:

“This exhibition’s photos show Hong Kong during consecutive periods, as it was seen around the middle of the last century. The images span some thirty years of great change: from the postwar recovery in 1946 – 1947, through the resilience of the 1950s, to the resurgence of the 1960s – 1970s. The photos were taken by three photographers. In the order of their Hong Kong work they were: Hedda Morrison, Lee Fook Chee and Brian Brake. Each had markedly different life backgrounds and photographic objectives.”

When: 14 December, 2021 - 6 March, 2022

Where: Asia Society Hong Kong Centre, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, Hong Kong

Learn more

Meet the Hong Kong Island West Candidates!

And other LegCo Election updates.

Key takeaways from the video: