Lam: Hong Kong may use lockdowns again if needed

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Saturday that the region may use lockdown-style methods again to control the coronavirus.Although Lam stopped short of using the term "lockdown," thousands of Hong Kong residents were told to stay in their homes.

Authorities said in a statement that an area comprising 16 buildings in the city's Yau Tsim Mong district would be locked down until all residents were tested.

Residents would not be allowed to leave their homes until they received their test results to prevent cross-infection.The area of crowded old buildings presents "high risks to public health", Lam said.The restrictions, which were announced at 4 a.m. in Hong Kong, were expected to end within 48 hours, the government said.

Hong Kong has been grappling to contain a fresh wave of the coronavirus since November. Over 4,300 cases have been recorded in the last two months, making up nearly 40% of the city’s total.