As part of the fight against COVID-19, Hong Kong is closing schools and businesses, closing its borders for almost two years, banning more than two people from gathering neighborhoods and quarantining them.
However, the draconian connection did not stop the coronavirus, and most older, unvaccinated people have suffered more than 8,600 deaths, mostly in the last two months, with Hong Kong citizens counting on some of the strictest social travel rules in the world. . about their mental health and livelihood.
The empty streets of the financial center, closed restaurants and bars and supermarket shelves are evidence of the distortion of Hong Kong's COVID-19 rules by its residents.
Jacky Ip, 33, runs a Japanese business bar in Kowloon across from the Central Business District, which remained open until 4 a.m. before the pandemic, but has since collapsed due to a shift in time constraints. abli.
"We lost a lot of money at a time when we almost had to close our business. At the moment, it is up to the shareholders to raise money to see how long we can live, "said Ip.
Many businesses in the city have been forced to close, including gyms, restaurants and bars, while others claim to be living on credit.
Ip complained that landlords are not adjusting rents in one of the most expensive real estate brands in the world to face the collapse of the business.
"The biggest costs are here and we have to sustain the lives of our employees, it's not fair. You told us to stop trading, but you didn't tell the landlord to stop collecting our hair.
+ PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN
The owner of the beauty salon Lin Chan (33) regrets that his almost three-year-old son had to wear a face mask shortly after birth, and is afraid of his engagement.
"She hasn't been to class yet. And now that she's at kindergarten level, she relies on Zoom. The outdoor parks are close by and she has very few opportunities to meet and chat with friends and relatives. Slowly, and he's been afraid of strangers." "he said. Chan lives with her husband in a small apartment in the dense district of Kowloon and said government regulations that forced her salon to close several times could reduce her family's income.
"The government has always asked me to close it. And then I'll open it in a few months. Right now, I just have to close it for four months. So the impact on our lives is huge." I hope that things will return to normal soon, that we will return to normal income and that the child will be able to socialize. "
+ BACK TO LIGHTS
Because the recent outbreak of COVID-19 was severe in hospitals, medical staff worked continuously to care for patients.
"We have to take care of 72 patients in one ward," said Nurse Lau Hoi-man, 37.
"Our colleagues are very busy. They don't have time to urinate, drink water or even eat."
Lau said the emergency room was limited and given the shocking death toll, "perhaps you should occupy every waiting area for the bodies and our living patients."
“Most colleagues have the experience that you can perform CPR surrounded by dead bodies. It's very sad to see that this happen. "
+ DIVIDED FAMILIES, PEOPLE LEAVED
Authorities should start reducing some bans from next week, as the number of daily cases drops below 2,000, but the damage would be difficult to reverse.
Hong Kong recorded a net outflow of nearly 70,000 in February and March, up from nearly 17,000 in December before the latest wave, as many residents were frustrated by the close signature.
For those outside Hong Kong, border restrictions have added a mental tax.
Beary Pang, 40, said his father died in March and three of his sisters living abroad can no longer return for the funeral.
"Whoever is abroad can only attend the funeral by video conference. We felt helpless. We only had one father, but when the biggest thing happened, they couldn't come back. "
"It's very difficult to accept."