🌊61 / 2000 quarantine hotels

Ms. Hong Kong so revealing it causes child abuse (apparently)

Harbour Times

Sep 21, 2022

Good morning,

There’s actually no news about the Queen today (she’s actually dead now)

Oh wait no

No Context Brits @NoContextBrits

Nice try.

But seriously, I didn’t think this would be how the Queen dying would affect Hong Kong news (y’know with harmonica man being arrested and all, and the police almost accidentally entering the British Consulate) but here we are.

— Cyril

On Today’s Tide

Society | Child abuse caused by (checks notes) bikinis on TV
COVID | Only 61 / 2000 hotels sign up for next quarantine hotel round
Events
Health | Monkeypox vaccine available in

Behind the paywall:

Politics | 7 charged, 1 acquitted on Poly U siege
International | U.S. and Canadian war boats near Taiwan

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First Ms. HK then…child abuse

A member of the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) said that violent media and…Ms. Hong Kong…are to blame for the increase of child abuse cases.

In a regular IPCC meeting, the issue of child abuse was brought up partially due to the Prince Edward children’s home case where multiple staff members have been charged with abusing toddlers.

Miss Hong Kong 2022 Contestants Meet the Press in Swimsuits — Where abuse begins

When asked for suggestions, member Helen Yu replied that the broadcasting authority should more carefully control the levels of violent and sexual content on TV.

She gave the specific example of Ms. Hong Kong, asking why they had to “wear bikinis in an air conditioned room while answering questions from Eric Tsang”. She also called on parents to take more responsibility on what media their children consume instead of leaving the responsibility to social workers.

(Helen Yu’s section is from 27:00 but the conversation starts around 20:00)

Other members of the IPCC brought up the possiblity of increasing police surveillance of problematic areas like the Prince Edward home in order to lower the chances of abuse.

Yu joined the IPCC in 2019 but has a long career in government. She started her career by joining the then-newly formed ICAC in 1974, and severed as Director of Buildings, Director of Education, Deputy Ombudsman and more. She has been awarded both an OBE and a SBS for her services to the government.

Hong Kong SAR Government News @newsgovhk

The Centre for Health Protection says it is looking into 5,541 additional locally acquired #COVID19 cases, of which 1,586 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 3,955 via rapid antigen tests

news.gov.hk5.5k local COVID-19 cases detectedThe Centre for Health Protection says it is looking into 5,541 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,586 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 3,955 via rapid antigen tests.

COVID-19 in Hong Kong

New cases: 5687 (146 imported)
Total cases: 1,725,036
New deaths: 9
Total deaths: 9917
Compulsory Testing locations: 67

Why is no one becoming a quarantine hotel?

According to the latest quarantine hotel list, only 60 quarantine hotels will be operational in October as 9 hotels totally 4200 rooms will be pulling out of the DQH program. In addition, only 61 out of 2000 hotels invited to join the next round of DQHs have agreed to join.

The hotels argue that since the advent of the 3+4 program, income and occupancy rate have been halved as arrivals no longer need to stay a week. However, the reduction of quarantine days has not brought back tourism leading to a worst of both worlds for hotels.

“The only solution is to cancel the hotel quarantine rather than issuing ‘0+7’ or other formats,” said Timothy Chui, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association.

Monkeypox vaccines voluntary

Hong Kong’s first batch of Monkeypox vaccines will available to high risk groups from 5 Oct.

The high risk groups include:

Individuals with high risk sexual practices, e.g. multiple sexual partners, sex workers, history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
Healthcare workers responsible for caring of patients with confirmed monkeypox;
Laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
Animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of monkeypox occurrence in animals in Hong Kong.

All vaccinations are voluntary with bookings able to be made from 3 Oct.

In addition, Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Center is being fitted as a Monkeypox close contact isolation camp. Currently, there is one case of Monkeypox in Hong Kong and no close contacts.

Events and deals

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

Ponte Orchestra 2022 Season

Our friends at Ponte Choir and Orchestra have announced their 2022 season starting with two concerts in October - Moment: Music and Mindfulness Concert and International Ponte Music Festival: Concerto Competition (Grand Finale).

Moment: Music and Mindfulness is a collaboration between Ponte and music therapist Howard Ho which uses narration and carefully selected classical pieces to combine arts and mindfulness.

pontemusic

A post shared by Ponte Orchestra & Singers (@pontemusic)

Where: Tsuen Wan Town Hall
When: 8 Oct, 8pm
Cost: $180-350 (student and senior discounts applicable)

Official media partner: ReThink HK returns 5-6 Oct

HT is proud to once again be 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.

For more local events, check out yesterday’s High Tide.