Good morning.
Today’s international cat day! Send us your cat pics and I’ll feature them on Tide the rest of the week.
Meanwhile here’s a picture of the village cat that likes to poop outside of front door but will never let me pat him:
In less optimistic international news, Olivia Newton-John has died at age 73 and I will be playing the Xanadu soundtrack all night (I prefer it to Grease, shoot me).
— Cyril
On Today’s Tide
COVID | Inbound Quarantine shortened to 3 +4
Malaria | Malaria on the rise (don’t panic!)
Crime | Marine Police seize 126 smuggled cats and dogs
Events
Behind the paywall:
Politics |
John Lee statistically better than Carrie Lam
New head of National Security
Greater China | China announces fresh military drills around Taiwan
Become a premium subscriber for just $8US a month – extra daily news and weekend roundups!
Inbound 3 (+4)
The best news of the month – quarantine for inbound travelers has been reduced to 3 days + 4 days of home quarantine lite (I mean medical observation) from Friday.
Utilizing the Mainland’s traffic light style health code, those under medical observation at home will have a yellow health code which bars them from going into high risk places that require LeaveHomeSafe scanning such as bars, restaurants, large events and schools. However, they will still be allowed to go to work and travel using public transport.
Many business groups have already heralded the second coming. The HKGCC said in a Press Release that it “welcomes the decision” to reduce quarantine, but that further reductions need to be done quickly, as “with the economy in
negative growth and the economic outlook remaining bleak, businesses need to be able to freely reconnect with the world”.
Cathay Pacific also welcomed the move but with caveats, saying “We are asking the government to urgently provide a clear roadmap showing the complete removal of all Covid-related restrictions for aircrew and passengers as soon as is feasible to protect Hong Kong’s international aviation hub status”.
Help! I’ve already paid for 7 days of hotels!
Worry not, the government clarified that hotels will automatically refund the extra 4 days of quarantine. At the same time, you will not need to cancel any existing bookings to re-book for 3 days.
COVID in Hong Kong


COVID-19 in Hong Kong: 8 Aug
New cases: 4040
Total cases: 1,389,282
New deaths: 7
Total deaths: 9,547
Compulsory testing locations: 38
Malaria is the new COVID
The cases are from over 100 Chinese workers who were based in West Africa and returning home through Hong Kong.
CHP said that Hong Kong has a very low number of Malaria carrying Anopheline mosquitoes. The fight to control their numbers has also been going on for 60 years.
For the record: Malaria is generally only spread through mosquito bites, although it can also be spread through infected blood (for instance in cases of blood transfusions).
Do not panic, it is very difficult to transmit Malaria. The title is a joke: Malaria is not the new COVID!
So, turn off your vampire tendencies till Halloween and you’ll be fine!
Grim Adventures reference? Anybody else? Just me? ok.
Smuggled pets caught by marine police
Not so happy news for International Cat Day. Marine police said yesterday that they caught over 100 pets in an abused stated at Deep Water Bay.
The pets are expected to have been sold in local pet stores. They have now been handed over to the AFCD for veterinary care.
The smuggler had docked his sampan filled with cats and dogs and fled before the cops could catch the reverse cat-burglar. Which I envision looked like this:
Events and deals
Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes
Business the Natural Way
Since 2014, Natural & Organic Asia (NOA) has been the leading trade platform for all things natural and organic, convening regional professionals with a shared vision – to make business ethical and lives sustainable.
Just as the Asia natural and organic market, there is no limit to what we can accomplish as the fastest growing natural and organic tradeshow in Asia – and it is this natural motivation that drives them forward!
Find more info here!
Where: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
When: 6–8 Sep 2022 (Tue-Thu)
How much: Free!
For more local events, check out yesterday’s High Tide.
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.
Sign up here using the code HTP22 for 40% off!
This is the end of your free time on Tide.
Become a Premium subscriber to see what lies behind the paywall - extra news everyday and on weekends.
But wait there’s more - Premium subscribers get additional discounts on all HT x partnerships:
Can’t go Premium yet? No worries, there are other ways to support High Tide:
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to