A woman speaks on her phone as migrant workers queue up for COVID-19 testing in the Central district of Hong Kong on May 1, 2021. (PETER PARKS / AFP)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong reported two new imported COVID-19 cases on Sunday, pushing the city’s tally of confirmed cases to 11,784.
In a report on Sunday afternoon, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said the two confirmed cases involved female travelers from Indonesia who had no symptoms.
The Centre for Health Protection said a total of 129 cases were recorded in the past 14 days, including 21 local cases, nine of which were untraceable
The CHP added that a total of 129 cases were recorded in the past 14 days, including 21 local cases, nine of which were untraceable.
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On Friday, Food and Health Secretary Sophia Chan Siu-chee said all foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong will need to be tested for COVID-19 by May 9. Exemptions will apply to helpers who have completed two vaccine doses at least 14 days prior.
Meanwhile, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government Paul Chan Mo-po said in his blog on Sunday that to promote full economic recovery, the most important thing is to stabilize the epidemic. The HKSAR government will continue to support people's livelihood by taking countercyclical measures.
Chan said that Hong Kong has suffered economic contraction for six consecutive quarters, the longest recession on record. During this period, the government consumption expenditure increased 6 to 10 percent, partially offsetting the contraction in private consumption expenditure, playing a supporting countercyclical role.
He said that as exports and investment continue to improve, Hong Kong will see significant economic growth in the first quarter of this year.
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Hong Kong launched a COVID-19 vaccination drive on Feb 26. About 936,400 people have received the first dose of vaccine, and about 518,000 have received the second so far.
With Xinhua inputs