Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (second left) announces the shutdown of all but three border checkpoints on Monday. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the government will not succumb to threats by those who have resorted to extreme measures at the expense of the public interest, as thousands of doctors and nurses threatened to join a medical strike that began on Monday unless the city closes its borders.
The strike would not only harm the interests of patients, but also add an extra burden to the already strained medical system, Lam said on Monday while announcing a new round of measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Lam called on Hong Kong residents to unite behind the government in its effort to contain the threat of a coronavirus outbreak
At this critical stage, resorting to such measures would have political implications that would adversely affect the city’s battle against the epidemic, she said.
READ MORE: Condemnation mounts after medical strike
As of Monday, Hong Kong had recorded 15 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, which has infected over 17,000 people on the mainland.
Among the new measures rolled out on Monday are the closure of five more immigration checkpoints at the border with the mainland as of Tuesday. Only three checkpoints — Hong Kong International Airport, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and Shenzhen Bay Port — will remain open.
READ MORE: Hong Kong closes more border checkpoints for virus control
Lam said the reason not to close all checkpoints is the close people-to-people relationship between Hong Kong and the mainland. There is a huge demand for cross-border travel, whether to work, transport cargo or visit relatives, she added.
Lam also dismissed the suggestion of banning all those who have recently visited the mainland from entering Hong Kong, as the government must treat every visitor in a fair way.
Six out of 14 checkpoints have been closed since Thursday. The number of visitors entering Hong Kong on Sunday was down nearly 60 percent compared with Thursday, according to government data.
The government also requires Hong Kong residents who return from Hubei province, the epicenter of the epidemic, to wear electronic wristbands that will allow the authorities to monitor their whereabouts during the newly mandated 14-day home confinement.
Meanwhile, Lam vowed that the government will continue to prioritize the needs of the front-line medical staff and guarantee a sufficient supply of protective gear, including face masks, to them. Last week, the government said that over 30 million masks from mainland and overseas suppliers will soon be put on the market.
READ MORE: Hospital Authority calls on staff to stay on duty
In addition, Lam called on Hong Kong residents to unite behind the government in its effort to contain the threat of a coronavirus outbreak and to refrain from blocking the requisition of buildings for quarantine purpose.
Recently, the government’s plan to build more quarantine centers in Fan Ling and Mei Foo has been met with strong opposition from local residents worried about possible infection. To boycott the plan, they blocked roads, set fires, and even vandalized the buildings chosen as quarantine centers.
