Hong Kong’s largest labor union urged the special administrative region government on Sunday to try to overcome all obstacles — including the high cost — to bringing home Hong Kong residents who have been stranded in Hubei province since the novel coronavirus outbreak.
At a media conference, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions also said that the country’s high-speed train system has stops at different locations inside the Central China province, which would make it much easier for Hong Kong residents, who are dispersed throughout the area, to get on the trains than it would be for them to get to the designated airport to board a chartered flight.
The SAR government could bring back its residents in batches depending on the urgency of their respective situations
Michael Luk Chung-hung, legislator
And the SAR government could bring back its residents in batches depending on the urgency of their respective situations, said legislator Michael Luk Chung-hung of the federation. He also suggested the SAR government create documentation that would allow Hong Kong residents in Hubei to drive home on their own.
Over 2,700 Hong Kong residents now are in Hubei, epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Ten of them are reportedly infected with the virus. A 77-year-old man from Hong Kong, who had lived in Wuhan, was suspected to have been infected with the virus and passed away, according to the government.
The union made the suggestions after receiving 607 requests for help from Hong Kong residents in Hubei, of which 40 stated that they urgently need to return to the city.
Those seeking help include 21 elderly people with chronic diseases, the parents of three infants under 6 months old, and five pregnant women, one of whom is seven months pregnant.
The elderly patients said they have problems seeking medical care and buying medications as they do not have medical insurance on the mainland. Pregnant women and babies were facing acute shortages of essential supplies such as folic acid, calcium tablets, and infant formula.
Another 184 people among the stranded group said they need to return to Hong Kong to work. They have no income in Hubei and are worried that they could lose their jobs if they don’t return soon.
The union also asked the SAR government to continue providing medicines and necessities for those stranded in Hong Kong. Other Hong Kong residents in Hubei also reported inadequate supplies of medications, food, face masks, and disinfectants.
A mother surnamed Chow is in Yichang in western Hubei with her 8-year-old daughter, who has anxiety disorder. The girl suffered a period of drug interruption and had several panic attacks before receiving medicine from the Hong Kong government.
A 60-year-old man surnamed Pang, who is in his 60s, has spent nearly 40 days stranded in Wuhan with his wife. Pang said they have only two meals each day to save supplies.
Pang and his wife hope to return to Hong Kong as soon as possible to help look after their grandchildren.
Of the 607 Hong Kong people seeking help, the largest group, comprising 94, are in Xianning, 72 are in Yichang, 70 are in Jingzhou, and 54 are in Wuhan.
