Note: Remember the song Cyril shared on yesterday’s Tide? The one sent by Harry Harrison? Just to clarify (at his URGENT request) the song is by his mate Squinty John, not Harry. Sorry for any misunderstanding guys 😬

Good morning,

Still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my time as a university student will be coming to an end in less than two (!!) months. But hey, juggling four different job applications per day while trying to pass final-year classes can’t be that difficult… right? Right?? 😰

Moral of the story: always try to maintain that work-life balance, folks. 👍🏼 In other words, don’t be like me (or Phoebe):

– Carlos

On Today’s Tide:

1. COVID-19 |

   • CE hints at possible changes to current measures

   • Shorter quarantine time for overseas arrivals could be on the way

   • Government blasts citywide compulsory testing rumours (again)

   • Top health experts urge government for a decision on a ‘roadmap to normality’

   • Queen’s Hill Estate’s unfortunate (and smelly) encounter 💩

2. Travel | Cathay re-routes flights to avoid Russian airspace

3. Events

Behind the paywall:

1. Education | Lawmaker urges ‘isolation exam centres’ for students taking HKDSE

2. Crime | Local doctor on wanted list for selling ‘false’ vaccine exemption certificate

3. Society | More than 50,000 people left the city in the first half of March

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Possible changes to Hong Kong’s COVID rules could be on the way

COVID-19

CE Carrie Lam yesterday hinted at possible ‘updates’ to a range of COVID-19 measures, saying flight bans and class suspensions could be eased by next week. Lam conceded that residents and businesses in the city are ‘losing patience’ with the harsh restrictions, saying it was time for a ‘mid-term review’ of current measures. She will update the public this Sunday or Monday on latest arrangements.

South China Morning Post @SCMPNews

Hong Kong leader vows to adjust anti-pandemic measures by next week

scmp.comHong Kong could ease flight bans, class suspensions next week, city leader saysThe measures up for review also include lengthy quarantine periods for incoming travellers, with an announcement also due on a controversial plan for universal Covid-19 testing.

4:30 AM ∙ Mar 17, 2022

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• New cases: 21,650 (8,628 confirmed by PCR)

• Total cases: 996,862

• New deaths: 202 (87 backlog)

• Total deaths: 5,136

RTHK News Feed @RTHK_

Covid cases in Hong Kong drop to 21,650

news.rthk.hkCovid cases in Hong Kong drop to 21,650 - RTHKHong Kong's daily Covid caseloads dropped to 21,650 on Thursday, but health officials said it's too early to tell if the downward trend would continue...

9:40 AM ∙ Mar 17, 2022

Other COVID Updates:

• The government has again urged the public to ignore online rumours on details and the date of citywide compulsory testing for COVID-19.

• Government adviser Yuen Kwok-yung has called on the government to devise a ‘roadmap to normal life’ once the city reaches a 95 percent vaccination rate. Carrie wasn’t too fond of his idea, to say the least.

• Chief Secretary John Lee yesterday announced the opening of a new community isolation facility in Hung Shui Kiu. The centre is equipped with 550 rooms and 1,600 beds.

• Here’s something you (hopefully) don’t see everyday – images shared by netizens yesterday appeared to show umm… poop smeared across the walls of a unit in Queen's Hill Estate, a newly designated public housing estate for quarantine.

Just another day in Hong Kong, I guess…? 🤷🏻

Lockdown updates:

• 907 preliminary positive COVID-19 cases were found after testing residents of six buildings in Tsing Yi, Tuen Mun, Sha Tin, Kwun Tong and Wong Tai Sin during overnight lockdowns yesterday.

Cathay re-routes flights to avoid Russian airspace

Travel

Cathay Pacific yesterday confirmed it was re-routing several of its flights in order to prevent flying over Russian airspace amid the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Cathay is the latest in a string of Asian airlines avoiding the area despite longer flight times, with some pilots now resorting to more southerly routes in compliance with the new rule.

RTHK News Feed @RTHK_

Cathay reroutes flights to avoid Russian airspace

news.rthk.hkCathay reroutes flights to avoid Russian airspace - RTHKCathay Pacific on Thursday confirmed it has stopped flying over Russian airspace, amid the country's assault on Ukraine. In a brief statement to RTHK,...

7:20 AM ∙ Mar 17, 2022

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Events and deals

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

• 10% off the Cellar: La Cabane x Harbour Times

Our friends over at La Cabane have kindly given all High Tide subscribers 10% off everything on their online store - high-quality wines, cheeses and wines-and-cheeses accessories.

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• Hong Kong Arts Festival

Watch live-streamed operas and concerts, and even some one-on-one interactive live theatre! Make sure to register in advance – each show has its own attendance policy.

harbourtimes

A post shared by Harbour Times | Hong Kong News (@harbourtimes)

Supporting Ukraine from the comfort of your couch

This isn’t really an event per se, but we thought our very internationally minded audience might be wondering how to get involved with humanitarian efforts. Luckily, you can literally do it by drinking beer, eating good Ukrainian food and calling our good friends at the Polish Consulate General.

harbourtimes

A post shared by Harbour Times | Hong Kong News (@harbourtimes)

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