Good morning,

Monday news - a bit lackluster… the most exciting news in HK these days really seems to only be what’s happening over at Kwai Chung. It’s wild over there.

Do we have any readers affected by the lockdowns? Make yourself known if you or someone close to you are - I just wanna talk…

~ Cyril

On Today’s Tide:

1. COVID |

   • Carrie Lam visits Kwai Chung

   • Health and Safety in Kwai Chung - not good

   • No mail either

   • Pierre Chan - Stock your kitchens

2. Business | 500 dead restaurants if restrictions continue

3. Events

4. Consulates | Week-in review of the diplo community

5. Crime | ‘Unusual’ suicide in Tai Po

Kwai Chung COVID news

Hong Kong SAR Government News @newsgovhk

The Centre for Health Protection says it is looking into 140 additional #COVID19 cases, among which 15 are imported and 125 cases are locally reported

news.gov.hk140 COVID-19 cases recordedThe Centre for Health Protection says it is looking into 140 additional COVID-19 cases, among which 15 are imported and 125 are locally reported.

6:25 PM ∙ Jan 23, 2022

Coronavirus in Hong Kong

• New cases: 140 (don’t panic yet)

• Active: 559

Kwai Chung Stuff

Out of 125 local cases yesterday, 94 were from the various lockdowns in Kwai Chung. There was also a lockdown in Tai Wo Hau, but as of this morning, no cases were found.

• Carrie Lam makes a visit

The CE herself made a surprise inspection to Kwai Chung but the response was…not great. Some residents shouted abuse at the Lam and her team of officials, sarcastically telling them to leave the ‘dangerous’ area.

• Pierre Chan - stocking chaos

Part of the reason locals at Kwai Chung are so mad is the suddenness of the lockdowns. From 3 days being allowed to exist at Yat Kwai House, to being told you can’t leave. No lockdown at other blocks. Sike - but also you don’t get dinner.

Former medical section lawmaker Pierre Chan wrote on his blog that everyone should stock up on enough food for 5 days just in case their building is found to have a silent transmission chain. However, his current LegCo counterpart David Lam said Chan’s remarks might make people panic buy and gather. Lam suggested that the government could allow residents in need to make orders for food and necessities which can be dropped off at designated checkpoints without health risks.

• Impacted Mail

Speaking of necessities, there will be no mail services to or from Kwai Chung Estate for the next three days (till 27 Jan). Residents in the area are advised to use services in Kwai Shing and Kwai Fong.

• Living situation (not good)

The lockdown has ironically also caused the health and safety of Kwai Chung Estate to drop considerably. Lack of cleaners means families are piling bags of trash outside their doorsteps.

There’s also been this one crazy f*cker who’s been going around spitting on doorknobs. Police are investigating.

500 restaurants on last legs

Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades president Simon Wong says that 500 restaurants might die if restrictions aren’t eased. Many CNY bookings were already canceled for what would normally be one of the most important and lucrative parts of the year.

He said that a fully packed lunch service would still only account for around 30% of the restaurant’s revenue. The transition to takeaway has also meant needing to sell many expensive products for cheap due to different customer perceptions.

Carrie Lam and Dr. Yuen have already said it is unlikely that restrictions will be eased on 4 Feb, and that it will take 'months’ before omicron subsides, but Wong is hoping they will at least allow early dinner services.

Events / Exhibitions etc

We want to make sure that what we advertise is interesting for our readers, so if you go to an event that you saw here, let us know by taking a selfie and tagging us on Twitter or Instagram ( both @harbourtimes ).

We’ll throw in a free month of Paid High Tide for yourself or a friend!

Events

• Study in Germany?

If you’ve ever wanted to study abroad in the land of poets and thinkers, then you’re in luck - The Goethe Institut, along with representatives from the the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the German Consulate General in Hong Kong & Macau, are holding a talk with all you need to know about starting you next chapter in Deutschland.

• When: 27 Jan 6-8pm

• Where: Online

• Cost: Free but register in advance here (deadline 26 Jan 6pm)

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