Having escaped weeks and weeks of Lockdown in the UK, we thought we were returning to a Hong Kong where everything was just about operating fully, but we returned to stringent conditions. Timing is everything ….!

The day after emerging from our strict quarantine, all eating places were shut down. Other measures include wearing masks worn in all public places – in the street, whilst exercising (you won’t be surprised that this has had little effect on me!), indeed everywhere apart from your own home. Due to an outcry from outdoor workers with nowhere to eat their midday meals, the closure order for cafes and restaurants was rescinded two days later. Eating places and bars close at 6 pm, apart from take-away meals and you can only meet one other person in public. I am enjoying very many coffees & lunches as I gradually catch up with friends, one at a time.

Hong Kong emerged from the first spike with just 7 deaths. Impressive with a population of just over 7.5 million, but of course they had practised epidemic management with SARS in 2002-2004 when 774 people died.

Sadly since early June the death total has climbed to just over 100. But at least here, I feel they are not just a number; each death has a short write up about the individual. Every day we receive updates on the number of cases, comprehensive lists of where infected individuals live (Tower Block not actual address) and have visited and lists of Flight/Ground Transport people who have tested positive.

Good news for us as restrictions are being slightly loosened. From Friday, August 28^th, cafes & restaurants can remain open until 9 pm and people no longer have to wear face masks whilst exercising outside or walking in country parks.  Further relaxations now mean that four people can meet in public and various facilities have started reopening.

Some weeks ago, the Hong Kong government started arranging a mass testing programme for all citizens during the first two weeks in September. Although voluntary the initial expectation was that something approaching 5 million people would be tested. Additional medical staff arrived from China and multiple testing stations are being set up in all 18 districts. In the end some 1.7 million people were tested and just 26 people were positive. The priority is now to test high risk groups on a regular basis & these have been identified as those working at meat processing plants, operatives container terminals, taxi drivers and workers at care homes, restaurants and wet markets.

l feel much safer here than in UK. The message is clear about what you can, and can’t do, and I like the ending of every message ‘Together, we will fight the virus’.