šRAT tests for everyone
Almost at the 10k daily caseload mark- yikes
Good morning,
Happy Monday. Tired? How about putting this glorious track of the legendary Itzhak Perlman playing Beetovenās Violin Concerto to jam to on your commute? Seriously, do it. Youāll feel more awake and really sophisticated, I swear.
For those of you who have felt that their Shakespeare obsession hasnāt been quite fulfilled, hereās the banging playlist of the songs in the cult classic musical, āShakespeare Rocks!ā Also feel free to enjoy this Tide-unaffiliated recording of the production by some random primary school.
-Charlotte
On Todayās Tide
Breaking | RAT tests for everyone
COVID | almost at the 10k markā¦
Education | Will in-person classes be suspended?
Politics | Honorary chair James Tien quits Liberal Party
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RAT tests galore
As of Sunday, August 28th (someoneās birthday out there, hbd!) the new RAT test measure has officially come into action. What measure, you ask? RAT tests are now mandatory for groups of more than 8 people at eateries too (we stan inclusivity). A photo of a negative RAT test taken up to 24 hours before entry must be presented for these groups.

The new policy was first announced on Friday, causing many to withdraw their reservations at restaurants. Restaurateur testimonies have mentioned the predicted loss in sales due to this, and have asked customers to conduct their own tests at home for convenience and safety.
For the alternate route, one could also use a text message of a negative PCR test issued within T-minus 48 hours to dining.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan said: āWe need to strike a balance between peopleās livelihood and anti-epidemic needsā¦We hope that when the infection number decreases, we can relax the rules.ā

COVID in Hong Kong


New cases: 9,708 (213 imported)
Total cases: 1,483,319
New deaths: 10
Total deaths: 9,664
Ok, Zoomers (please no)
School authorities are advocating for full-day classes to continue following the Secretary of Educationās warning on Saturday. We are drawing dangerously close to the highlighted 10,000 daily caseload mark, and the threat of in-person classes being suspended looms darkly.
On Sunday, Education Minister Christine Choi said that the government had informed schools that half-day face-to-face classes would be seen as the minimum for the coming academic year. But after three years of unstable class schedules and intermittent online learning, faculty, parents, and students have had enough. (Iām totally not biased)
However, the chairwoman of the Wong Tai Sin District Secondary School Heads Association had some words of hope to offer: āWhen the daily caseload reaches more than 10,000, if a majority of the infections are found at schools, there may be a need to suspend full-day [in-person] classes. But at the moment, we donāt see a lot of cases coming from schools.ā
James Tien quits Liberal Party
The co-founder of the Liberal Party resigned this month after more than 30 years as part of the pro-establishment political camp. James Tien resigned before its leadership could take away his position as an honorary chair.
His fellow Liberal Party members Selina Chow (left) and Miriam Lau (right) also stepped down after learning that Tommy Cheung and the rest of the party leadership planned to scrap the position of honorary co-chairs.

Tien said, āThis is something they think they must do to please Beijing, a way they work in the hope of retaining their jobs in public office.ā Not hesitating to further spill the tea, Tien also stated, āThere is no future in all political parties. Beijingās electoral overhaul is diminishing the role of parties and eliminating differences in opinion.ā
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