Lockdown of 16 Hong Kong blocks for virus testing

Thousands of Hong Kong residents were locked down Saturday in an unprecedented move to contain a worsening COVID-19 outbreak in city, authorities said.

Officials said in a statement that an area comprising 16 buildings in Yau Tsim Mong will be locked down until all residents have been tested.

Residents will t be allowed to leave ir homes until y have received ir test results to prevent cross-infection.

Hong Kong has been grappling to contain a fresh wave of coronavirus since vember.

Over 4,300 cases have been recorded in last two months, making up nearly 40% of city’s total number of confirmed infections.

Coronavirus cases in Hong Kong’s Yau Tsim Mong district – a working-class neighborhood with old buildings and subdivided flats – represent about half of infections in past week.

Sew testing in area picked up more concentrated traces of virus, prompting concerns that poorly built plumbing systems and a lack of ventilation in subdivided units may present a possible path for virus to spre.

Hong Kong has previously avoided lockdowns in city during pandemic, with leer Carrie Lam stating in July last year that authorities will avoid taking such “extreme measures” unless it h or choice.

restrictions, which were anunced at 4 a.m. in Hong Kong, are expected to end within 48 hours, government said.

It appealed to employers to exercise discretion and avoid docking salary of employees who have been affected by restrictions and may t be able to go to work.

Hong Kong has seen a total of 9,929 infections in city, with 168 deaths recorded as of Friday.