People leave a clinic designated for diagnosis and treatment for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms in Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
The business community and other sectors on Friday unveiled a wide range of measures to support Hong Kong’s fight against its worse wave of COVID-19 outbreak, and alleviate the difficulties faced by patients and affected residents.
The measures, announced by leading companies based in Hong Kong including the city’s biggest developers and conglomerates, came as Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, convened a virtual meeting on Friday afternoon.
A new ferry route will be launched on Friday evening, transporting fresh vegetables and other supplies to Yau Ma Tei in Kowloon from Guangdong province
Luo called on all sectors in the city to contribute what they can to help Hong Kong overcome the pandemic crisis. He summarized a total of 16 measures already being carried out or to be rolled out soon by different actors in the community.
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State-owned enterprises in Hong Kong will guarantee the supply of anti-pandemic materials and daily necessities for Hong Kong residents. A new ferry route will be launched on Friday evening, transporting fresh vegetables and other supplies to Yau Ma Tei in Kowloon from Guangdong province.
These companies will also guarantee a steady supply of water, gasoline and natural gas for Hong Kong. They will continue to provide financial relief, and help Hong Kong enhance its virus-testing capabilities.
The companies that own hotels have agreed to convert some of them into quarantine and vaccinations centers.
Local businesses have pledged to provide land to build more quarantine and medical facilities, with Chinese mainland companies to lend a helping hand in constructing the new facilities
Local businesses have pledged to provide land to build more quarantine and medical facilities, with Chinese mainland companies to lend a helping hand in constructing the new facilities.
Various sectors have donated different resources, including heating equipment, to patients waiting outside hospitals.
Local merchants have vowed to make sure no price surges will occur for daily necessities and food. Some will provide discounts to shoppers.
Many industries will encourage employees to work from home, in an effort to reduce transmissions.
The Hong Kong Community Anti-Coronavirus Link, a charitable group, will provide services to different communities across all districts in Hong Kong.
Performing artists in Hong Kong will use their talent and influence to help unite the society to fight the pandemic. For this purpose, they will also create a new song that is expected to go viral and inspire more public support.
The business community has been reaching out to the public and calling for action to help win the battle against the current outbreak, via large billboards and advertisements on buses.
E-commerce giants from the Chinese mainland have pledged donations in support of medical professionals in the frontline of the anti-pandemic battle.
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A fleet of 100 vehicles, including taxies and private cars, has been formed by volunteers to help transport frontline medical workers and anti-pandemic supplies.
The Hong Kong Coalition, founded by over 1,500 initiators from various sectors of Hong Kong society in 2020, will provide protective gear for the city’s cleaners, who work at the frontlines and face a higher risk of exposure to the virus.
