🌊Yuen Long blackout sparked by literally a light bulb

COVID rules tightened again

Aug 26, 2022

∙ Paid

Good morning,

We haven’t covered this on Tide yet, and I’m not sure if we will since it’s pretty not HK related, but these pics coming out of Chongqing right now are pretty insane.

For those not familiar, there have been massive forest fires and blackouts but firefighters who are going to stop the flames need to be COVID negative. Residents are still doing daily testing with the mountains literally on fire behind them.

Songpinganq @songpinganq

Chongqing city. August 25th. 11pm The end of the world is nigh! Nothing can stop Chinese government mandatory routine COVID test on its citizens , even the blackout and bushfire nearby.

Songpinganq @songpinganq

Shenzhen. Another day. August 24th. A COVID test site. More than 100 000 people competing to take their routine COVID test to keep their QR code vaccine passport valid. https://t.co/T1rAjCpDjA

~ Cyril

On Today’s Tide

Society | Yuen Long blackout sparked by a lightbulb
COVID |
- All Lives Matter (Dr. Lo): Rules tightened again
- Sports: Hong Kong Snooker Masters to be held in COVID bubble
Trafficking | More HKers returned from SEA
Events

Behind the paywall:

Politics | Erhu playing case comes back
Crime | Filipina helper rape case sees accused acquitted

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How many lightbulbs does it take to blackout Yuen Long?

After investigations, CLP said that the most likely culprit for a fire and blackout in June that saw 160,000 households in Yuen Long, Tuen Mun and Tin Shui Wai without electricity was … a flourscent light.

A light inside the cable bridge at Kwong Yip street likely caught fire, said CLP Managing Director Chiang Tung-Keung, which then “affected the communication cable underneath, and the fire then spread to the power transmission cable and across the bridge”.

The spark then became a massive fire which damaged the whole bridge and long delays to resuming electricity. Due to the extent of the damage, staff were unable to restart power remotely and had to attend the site physically. To prove that god is sadistic, one of two emergency backup power systems was also malfunctioning that day.

Chiang said these accidents were extremely rare and that the bridge had been operating for 30 years without problems. Routine inspections in November also found no problems. However, CLP has already quickly upgraded other bridges to avoid future issues.

Remind yourself about the blazing news of Yuen Long in our previous coverage:

High Tide

🌊Lights go out with a blaze

Good morning, Anyways, because yesterday was a relatively healthy recipe, today we're leaning back into the dessert-sweet-treat groove. We’re heading into soufflé territory with these Japanese cloud-like pancakes that are literally 90% air. Even if you don’t have an electric mixer, you’ll get a workout for your arms if you take it on with your bare hands. Good luck with separating those egg yolks :) if all else fails, just call it a day and make yourself some scrambled eggs…

a year ago · Harbour Times

Hong Kong SAR Government News @newsgovhk

The Govt will set up 16 private clinic #COVID19 vaccination stations across the city and reservations for free vaccination services at these stations can be made from 9am on August 27

news.gov.hk16 private clinic jab stations setThe Government announces that it will set up 16 private clinic COVID-19 vaccination stations across the city. Reservations for free vaccination services at these stations can be made from 9am on August 27.

COVID-19 in Hong Kong

New cases: 7835 (170 imported)
Total cases: 1,495,807
New deaths: 7
Total deaths: 9,650
Compulsory Testing locations: 65

Stricter testing rules

Health Sec Dr. Lo Chung-Mau has announced tighter testing rules as cases mount.

If you are attending a banquet with other 8 people, negative RAT tests will be needed. This is similar to the existing rule of needing to show a picture of a negative RAT test to go to bars and clubs.

Harbour Times & High Tide: 🇭🇰 News @harbourtimes

#COVID19 tests and other trash left in Lan Kwai Fong last night. Currently, everyone who goes to a bar or club must take a RAT test and present a photograph at the door. The CHP has urged individuals not to take the tests themselves to the bar.

Dr. Lo also said he “cannot promise” the government won’t reintroduce social distance curbs if numbers don’t die down. He said this is due to the unvaccinated elderly population, and that “all lives matter” (yes, seriously).

Hong Kong Snooker Masters with closed loops

October will (hopefully) be the return of the Hong Kong Snooker Masters. However, the World Snooker Tour told the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Control Council that quarantine free travel is a pre-requisite for any international players coming to Hong Kong.

As such, the Council is in talks with the government for a closed loop arrangement where visiting players won’t have to isolate in their hotel rooms for three days, but will not be allowed to mingle freely.

There will be audiences allowed to watch the matches, a’la concert arrangements.

This year will see world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan, as well as Judd Trump and Mark Selby, all from England, in attendance. Locally Marco Fu and three times world champ Ng On-Yee will be playing.

More HKers returning from SEA

The Security Bureau announced that six more Hongkongers who asked the Immigration Department for help have safely returned to Hong Kong from Thailand.

Two more cases have been reported making 41 trafficking cases so far, of which 10 have come home safely.

Events and deals

Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes

Gokan bar takeover

HT x partner Gokan is having their first ever bar takeover, featuring bartenders Tony and Henry from Glass Gardener and solo mixologist Chi Ho. An exclusive menu will be available for the two nights, featuring original cocktails designed by the Trio.

May be a black-and-white image of 3 people and glasses

When: 26-28th Aug, 6-11pm
Where: Gokan, 192A Hollywood Road

Schol! Belgium Beer Week: 22 - 28 Aug

Belgium Beer Week’s first foray outside of their home country sees them expanding across the world and Hong Kong is leading by example, having a whooping 11 venues to celebrate in - one of the highest number in the world.

Each bar will host their own events during the week.

harbourtimes

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See our full coverage for details on location, timings and events!

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