🌊Rugby 7s and Bankers Summits
🌊Rugby 7s and Bankers Summits
Jimmy Lai might lose his London Counsel
Good morning,
If anyone’s going to the 7s, we’d LOVE to see pictures.
You will not see pictures of me at the 7s because I’m not going but I’m sure it’ll be fun!
— Cyril
On Today’s Tide
Sports | Rugby 7s start today (fine print included)
COVID
Economy | Banker’s Summit ends - more next year!
Events
Behind the paywall:
Politics | DoJ challenges Jimmy Lai’s UK lawyer approval
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The 7s are back!
After three years of COVID shutdown, the Rugby 7s, one of the world’s biggest rugby tournaments restarts today!
However, COVID rules still domaintes and there are many restrictions in place to make sure the virus doesn’t spread:
Masks must be worn at all times
Groups of 12 max (as per the new group restrictions)
HK stadium only going up 85% capacity
RAT test with name, time and date before entering the stadium
There are also additional rules about food and drink. Authorities originally banned eating on the premises, saying only drinking was allowed but eventually backtracked and allowed food to be consumed in both the stands and specified areas.
The rules as they stand for today:
Food will be sold from the general concession
A small amount of food for “personal consumption” is allowed
No bottles allowed to be brought into the venue
Additional rules regarding items a person can bring have also been made:
“No balls, musical instruments, loud hailers, vuvuzela, selfie sticks, tripods, flag poles, umbrellas, or fixed signage”
“No drones, remote controlled devices, laser pointers / bright light emitting devices or other article, object or substance that may be used as a weapon or harmful to others.”
- direct quotes from the ‘What’s New’ rule list
And it doesn’t get much better for the visitors
All participants have to come to Hong Kong on a closed loop system where they only mingle with other players in their team. Participants have not been allowed to go explore the city, something which players of previous Rugby 7s said was a major part of their experience.
Restrictions have also made the 7s unlikely to receive many foreign tourists which, under the 0+3 rule, have to refrain from eating out or going to bars till at least 3 days after they arrive in Hong Kong. If they are found positive with COVID on landing, they will also need to isolate for 7 days.
In September, chair of the Hong Kong Rugby Union, Robbie McRobbie, gave of this a silver lining saying this would make it easier for locals to get tickets.
COVID in Hong Kong
COVID-19 in Hong Kong
New cases: 5245 (416 imported)
Total cases: 1,933,080
New deaths: 10
Total deaths: 10,428
Compulsory Testing locations: 28
More banking next year!
The Global Financial Leader’s Summit ended yesterday with the HKMA promising another one next year, coinciding with the 30th birthday of the HKMA.
The summit, which began on Tuesday with a dinner reception at M+, saw high level bankers and financial experts from across the world gather at Four Seasons in Central for two days of speeches and panel discussions about the state of the financial world.
It was however, also marred by COVID issues. Several banking CEOs including the CEO of Citigroup, Jane Fraser, cancelled their trips after catching COVID. Financial Secretary Paul Chan attended the conference while positive but not infectious, sparking criticism of special privilege. Bankers were also not bound to isolation in Hong Kong if they caught COVID, but were allowed to leave on private jets and were also allowed to dine together despite the 0+3 regime not allowing such privileges for us normal folks.
Summit showed that HK can move ahead
Former Hospital Authority Chief Executive Leung Pak-Yin said after the summit that the presence of 200 odd bankers from overseas did not strain the hospital system, and therefore showed that HK can move towards 0+0, or at least a much watered down version of 0+3.
"It is inevitable [for Hong Kong] to get back in step with the world”, said Leung.
Separately CUHK economist Simon Lee said that opening up is fundamental for Hong Kong’s continued financial supremacy.
“The government can't say Hong Kong is back while keeping the border closed for another half a year. Foreign companies won't wait any longer”, he said.
Events and deals
Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes
Underground 18th Anniversary Concert
The Underground turns 18!…well they turned 18 months ago but with live music cancelled for so long, it’s only now that we can really celebrate!
Come along for a night of fun featuring local bands Gwenji, Transmission, What They Do, Hybrid Stereo and Parallel Horizons.
Where: Rula Live, Lan Kwai Fong
When: 19/11, 9pm till late
Cost: $140 (early bird) to $200 (on the door)
CHOMP! One Year Anniversary Party!
Our friends at CHOMP! are turning one! We first met the founders of the food saving app, Chris and Carla, at ReThink 2021 and we’ve since featured Carla as a Leader of The Week and in articles on sustainability.
Come celebrate with us on 11 Nov as we bring in another year of not throwing away food that’s still good.
Where: House Studio, Soho House. Sheung Wan
When: 11/11, 7-11pm
Cost: $100 (+fees)
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