 |
| Enforcing social distancing during mass will be a tough task for churches |
Churches, temples, mosques and other places where religious
events are held, are set to reopen after the latest gathering restrictions imposed
by the Hong Kong government expire on Thursday,
May 21.
However, the venues will be allowed to take in people at
only half their capacity. No eating or drinking will be allowed, except for
taking communion.
But except for religious gatherings, no more than eight
people are still prohibited from getting together in public. The ban will be
extended for a further two weeks, or until Jun 4.
There was no immediate reaction from religious groups to the
announcement by the officials made earlier today, May 19.
Fr. Jay Flandez, chaplain for the Filipino community, said the Catholic Diocese still has to issue a statement on whether masses will resume, and when. But he clarified that churches have remained open despite the cancellation of masses to avoid large gatherings.
In the meantime, he said his daily online mass which is live-streamed at 8am via the El Shaddai Facebook page (El Shaddai, DWXI-PPFI, Fellowship H.K. Chapter) will continue.
Religious venues have mostly stopped holding services at the advice of the
government since Feb 15, three days after 15,000 new coronavirus cases were reported
in China in a single day
Since then, many churches have been streaming live daily
broadcasts of their masses held with only a handful of people in attendance.
 |
| 15 public beaches will reopen this Saturday, with lifeguards keeping watch |
In a further relaxation of restrictions, facilities run by
the Leisure and Cultural Services Department including 15 public beaches, 33 public swimming pools, and other sports facilities, will also reopen starting this Saturday.
Gyms, barbecue sites and campsites are still shut, but will be
available for use soon, according to Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui.
Karaoke lounges, nightclubs, bathhouses and party rooms are
to remain closed for one more week until May 28.
 | |
|
This comes on the second consecutive day of no new Covid-19
infection being reported in the city, leaving the total tally steady at 1,055. More
than 90% patients have been discharged after recovering, while the death toll
remains at 4.
Last week, three local cases were reported after a respite
of 22 days, sparking concern over a second wave of community transmission.
However, the close contacts of the three family members
living in Tsuen Wan have all tested
negative for the virus, although further tests are being carried out in the two
housing estates where they live.
“As seen from the recent local confirmed cases, the
transmission chain in the community has not been completely broken off yet,” said
Sophia Chan, secretary for Food and Health.
She added that authorities are adopting a “suppress and
lift” strategy, meaning they will adjust anti-epidemic restrictions depending
on the latest developments.
The most recent infections all involved residents returning
from overseas, particularly Pakistan
Health officials have warned the coronavirus may never go
away, so people must remain cautious.
