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On Todayâs Tide
Society | No food at CNY fair
COVID |
20k vax exemptions to be annuled (again) from 9 Nov
Lawmakers divided on Loâs law change
Events | CHOMP 1 Year Anniversary Party!
Behind the paywall:
Politics | Chow Hang-Tung asked not to call it the âTiananmen Masscareâ
Housing | Hotels to transition into youth hostels
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No food at the CNY fair
Due to continued COVID fears, the government has announced that next yearâs Chinese New Year fair will continue to ban the sale of dry foods and fast food. Workers will also be required to take a RAT test before going to the first day of the fair, and test again at regular intervals.
The ban was first introduced in late 2019 for fairs in 2020. Alongside a ban on dry stalls, political satire and slogans were also banned. The government justified the move back then on the large crowds that would gather around the stalls, increasing COVID risks.
The state of CNY fairs has been iffy in the past few years regardless with this year - 2022 - seeing no fair at all due to the 5th COVID wave.
Prices of 2023 stalls are frozen at last year's level, which are half of those in 2019, and range from HK$320 to HK$5,440. 175 stalls for Victoria Park, the traditionally largest fair site, will be auctioned off on 9 and 10 Nov at the Lai Chi Kok Government Offices.
COVID in Hong Kong
COVID-19 in Hong Kong
New cases: 5015
Total cases: 1,891,631
New deaths: 7
Total deaths: 10350
Compulsory Testing locations: 68
Vax Exemptions Annuled Again
Just a day after Health Sec. Professor Lo Chung-Mau changed the laws to give him and his department powers to challenge vax exemptions without consultation, he has gone to annul 20,000 vax exemptions without consultation.
The government lost a judicial review earlier in the week when it was found Lo overstepped his powers in annuling the vax exemptions.
Now that the law has been changed, the 20,0000 vaccine exemptions given by 7 doctors who allegedly did not properly hold consultations will be invalid from 9 Nov. Those affected therefore have two weeks to get a medical consultation from another doctor, or get vaccinated. Previous government offers on free consultations and priority at government hospitals still stands.
However, not all lawmakers agreed with Loâs hard handed tactics. Thirdside politician Tik Chi-Yuen said that the move âundermined the credibility of its own governanceâ.
Doreen Kong, who first brought up the legal issue, was similarly vexed, saying that âWhy does the government feel that there is such an urgency and a crisis to plug the loopholes?â
Events and deals
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Hong Kong Oktoberfest Southside: Free tickets!
Harbour Times, in combination with The Underground, are proud to offer free tickets to Oktoberfest Southside. Back after a three year hiatus, the festival now takes place outside the brand new Oceanpark Waterworld. Running from 21 Oct to 8 Nov, the festival features traditional german food and drink, and live music courtesy of The Underground.
From now till 1st November, we will be picking four winners a day for free entrance to the festival - you can bring friends too!
Details on our social media post!
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 weâve 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 thatâs still good.
Where: House Studio, Soho House. Sheung Wan
When: 7-11pm
Cost: $100 (+fees)
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