Published: 11:20, April 16, 2020 | Updated: 04:39, June 6, 2023
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Diminishing distance
By Chitralekha Basu in Hong Kong

Walking hand in hand down the main hall of The Mills, a retail, exhibition and startup incubation space in Tsuen Wan. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

If news reports are to be believed, instances of domestic violence have shot up in Hong Kong. As schools remain closed and more people are required to work from home in order to minimize the risk of catching the novel coronavirus, sharing Hong Kong’s, often rather small, apartments with even one’s most favorite person on earth, round the clock, has proved to be a major challenge.

The bad news for people newly fallen in love, or in the honeymoon stage, is that we are dealing with a pandemic that forbids getting physical. Until such time as a vaccine arrives on the scene, the only known way of keeping COVID-19 at bay is by standing 1.5 meters apart from the next person.

Stealing a kiss in a park in Kwun Tong. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Given such a grim scenario, does love stand a chance?   

Hong Kong’s lovebirds who find ways to steal a moment of intimacy in its parks, promenades and deserted cultural venues will make one want to believe that it does. 

As the cuckoo coos and the flowers are in full bloom in Hong Kong’s parks, diehard romantics have stepped out in the open, honing their skills at kissing with masks on.

A happy couple embrace in Mong Kok. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Getting cosy in a furniture store in Kowloon Bay. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Taking off masks to share a kiss at the Peak. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

A romantic afternoon spent at the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Overjoyed with spotting her friend in Tsim Sha Tsui, a girl runs to meet him. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

basu@chinadailyhk.com