LEGCO WORK

Motion Debate on the 2021 Policy Address (2022.02.16)

MR CHAN KIN-POR (in Cantonese): Deputy President, the inexorable spread of the fifth wave of the epidemic has suddenly caused panic in Hong Kong where “zero infection” had been achieved for quite a period of time. According to the projections of the University of Hong Kong, the epidemic will not reach its peak until mid-March, by which time the number of confirmed cases could exceed 10 000 per day. The upcoming situation is really a cause for concern.

Despite the bumpy ride in our fight against the epidemic, Hong Kong is neither alone nor helpless. With the support pledged by the Central Authorities to Hong Kong, the SAR Government has set up five task forces to follow up the relevant work. Currently, Hong Kong is in dire need of support in respect of testing, healthcare personnel and supply of goods. The Central Government has always provided the strongest backing for Hong Kong, and this time is no exception. The SAR Government can therefore focus its attention on this anti-epidemic battle. In fact, I believe that senior government officials have already done their best in their leadership role. However, given the cunning and variable nature of the virus, we do have to constantly adjust our strategies, and we should also extend our heartfelt gratitude to our healthcare, disciplinary and frontline personnel for their dedication to serving the public despite the high risks they face every day. The general public should also recognize their contribution.

However, as our anti-epidemic capabilities can hardly cope with the recent surge in infection rate, social grievances are inevitable. For example, dissatisfaction caused by the failure to get young patients hospitalized, inadequate support for “restriction-testing declaration” operations, confusions in quarantine arrangements, excessively long waiting time for testing, confusion in information dissemination, soaring prices in markets, etc. These grievances reflect the inadequacies of the Government in policy implementation. While some people support “restriction-testing declaration” operations, they are not happy with the chaotic support work. Though frontline personnel have of course been working hard, they have already been overstretched. I believe the problem lies in coordination and leadership.

Various government departments, including the Department of Health, the Home Affairs Department, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Housing Department and various outsourced service contractors, are involved in frontline work. Who is in charge after all? Or are they just going their own ways? In fact, it may not be a problem for various departments to do things on their own. However, there will be difficulties in coordination if they are asked to work together. This has been a long-standing problem of the Government for years. At this critical juncture, the Government should take special measures to tackle the special circumstances. The Government may consider setting up a command centre with substantive power and assigning senior officials with implementation capability to coordinate efforts at the local level and respond to changes in the situation. In particular, there may be large-scale anti-epidemic campaigns in the future which require more frontline coordination and interaction with the public. Close communication with the public is of paramount importance.

In addition, the Government is building more Huo-Yan Laboratories and setting up a “mobile cabin hospital” to cope with the current emergency situation. Upon the reinstatement of Huo-Yan Laboratories, the SAR Government is now seeking the assistance from the Central Government for deploying testing personnel to Hong Kong, which should not be a big problem. Meanwhile, the mobile cabin hospital requires a considerable number of healthcare personnel. Some people have therefore put forward the proposal for Mainland healthcare personnel to be allowed access to Hong Kong. However, some people have raised concerns about the possible problems arising from the difference in medical standards between the Mainland and Hong Kong. In my opinion, the healthcare standard in the Mainland is definitely not inferior to that in Hong Kong, which is evident from the Mainland’s achievements in keeping the epidemic in check. At present, the most important task for the SAR Government is to contain the epidemic. I am confident that the SAR Government can do a good job. If the epidemic situation further deteriorates and the local healthcare system cannot cope with it, we need to allow Mainland healthcare professionals to come to Hong Kong to assist in combating the epidemic.

In addition, as for the proposed citywide lockdown in Hong Kong, I think this possibility cannot be ruled out but we should stick to the current mode of our anti-epidemic work for the time being. A citywide lockdown will inevitably affect the economy and will have a direct impact on Hong Kong’s status as a financial centre, and will even jeopardize the livelihood of many people. I believe that it would be more precise and effective to lock down small areas in the event of a further outbreak. This will also facilitate better support work.

Each and every one of us has a role to play in the fight against the epidemic. Hong Kong people should ask themselves what they can do to help. At the very least, we should get vaccinated as soon as possible and follow infection control guidelines by going out less, avoiding gatherings, etc. We should also support the Government’s anti-epidemic efforts and understand the plight of anti-epidemic personnel at work. I believe that we shall win this battle as long as all Hong Kong people stand in solidarity. Thank you, Deputy President.

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