🌊Magical Mystery Mainland Tour
🌊Magical Mystery Mainland Tour
Flights aren't banned anymore!
Good morning,
Since Tide is a HK newsletter, this doesn’t belong in the news news bit but whatever is going on down in London with Boris and his gang is definitely today’s global breaking news.
I think Larry The Cat should be the next PM, and I’d gladly vote for him (did you know BNOs can vote? It’s true).
— Cyril
On Today’s Tide
Education | Mandatory Mainland Fun Time Trip!
COVID | Flight suspension circuit breaker suspended
Housing | Tsuen Wan transitional housing breaks ground
Events
Behind the paywall:
History | FTU, activists mark 85th Anniversary of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident
International | UN begins first session on HK human rights since NSL
Magical Mystery Mainland Tour
The education department announced yesterday that as part of the new Citizenship and Social Development subject (which replaces Liberal Studies), all Form 4-6 students will be required to take a trip to the Mainland.
These trips will be fully subsidized by the government with a current choice of 21 trips ranging from 2-5 days based on different themes including Chinese history, ‘Father of Modern China’ Dr. Sun Yat Sen and history of the Chinese Communist Party.
Two day trips closer to Hong Kong include the Whampoa Military Academy in Guangzhou, and the house (now memorial museum) of Dr. Sun. Longer trips include visits to important CCP sites in Guangzhou and further north.
However, the EDB has yet to release details on quarantine or border reopening, making this definitely a magical mystery tour (that’s the punchline, you may delete the email now).
COVID in Hong Kong
New cases: 3028
Total cases: 1,262,122
New deaths: 1
Total deaths: 9,407
Flight suspension circuit breaker suspended
Despite Hong Kong reaching 3000 cases for the first time in months, the government has announced a stop to the flight suspension mechanism which saw airlines that had too many COVID cases get routes banned.
The new arrangements take place from today (yay).
The government justified this move on account of “the overall principle of adopting precise anti-epidemic measures in a socially cost-effective manner” arguing that most cases can be found during testing during and after quarantine, and that the flight suspension mechanism wasn’t doing too much anymore anyway.
Instead inbound travellers will now be required to take an additional PCR test on the 3rd day of quarantine. There may still be further increases to testing frequency.
Transitional Housing in Tsuen Wan finally breaks ground
The Society for Community Organisation (SoCo) broke ground on a transitional housing project at Yau Ma Hom Road, Tseun Wan, which was delayed for months due to tendering and consulation issues.
Originally announced in 2020, the project, which aims to be completed in 2023 will offer over 200 flats for the vulnerable.
The Yau Ma Hom site is part of a the Housing and Transport Department’s wider push to develop at least 16,000 transitional units by mid 2023.
SoCo deputy chair Sze Lai-shan said at the groundbreaking ceremony that she hopes the housing can alleviate pressure on those waiting for public housing:
“Even the government tried hard and said that they provide more [public housing], it’s not easy to find land. It takes time to do that. So I think it’s good to, at the same time, have mid-term or short-term assistance, so we can provide more units for the people,” she said”
In a great Q&A after the event, Ms. Winnie Ho, Secretary for Housing…well I’ll let the Press Release speak for itself:
“Reporter: How can the Task Force work to help the underprivileged?
Secretary for Housing: This is the target.Like President Xi has said, this is one of the pain points of the society and how to improve the living condition of the people of Hong Kong. Thank you.”
Events and deals
Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes
For more local events, check out yesterday’s High Tide.
Making Philosophy Relevant: How Philosophy help us live a happier life?
In a new collaboration between the Goethe-Institut HK and philosphy outreach program ‘Corrupt the Youth’, German philosopher Wilhelm Schmid speaks about how philosophy can help us lead a happier life.
Sign-up for his talk so he can make you happy!
Where: Library, Goethe-Institut HK
When: 14th July, 19:30-21:00
How much: $50HKD
How to sign up: www.art-mate.net (2829 9917)
or email library-hongkong@goethe.de
Limited Seats. Please register on or before 12th July 2022.
Game Kitchen: Game Designer Talk: The room of depression
The seducing aroma of…..games!
Goethe Institut is back with another series of Game Kitchen! A fantastic opportunity for gamers and game developers where they’re provided with consoles, VRs, screens.
This week’s session is a gameplay of Simon But’s ‘The room of depression’ , which focuses on expressing the experience and feeling of being depressed. Find more details in the hyperlink above!
Where: Current Plans, Sham Shui Po (OR online)
When: 21st July
How much: Free!
Note: This session of Game Kitchen is in Cantonese only
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!
For more local events, check out yesterday’s High Tide.
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