Hong Kong transport operators, supermarket cut services as COVID surges (updated)

MTR

03/03/2022 06:27

(Adds detail on ferry suspensions, passenger figures, charter
flights)
    By Farah Master
    HONG KONG, March 3 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's subway operator,
bus and ferry companies, and one of its biggest supermarket
chains, are cutting back services due to a worsening COVID-19
outbreak that has seen daily infections explode since early
February.
    The surge in cases and mixed messaging from government
officials have triggered an exodus of people from the global
financial hub, where authorities are clinging to a "dynamic
zero" coronavirus strategy that seeks to stamp out all
outbreaks.
    Many restaurants and shops in the Chinese-ruled city have
closed while its main financial district is eerily quiet and few
people are out and about in normally bustling neighbourhoods.
    Hong Kong's Transport Department said 98 bus routes would be
suspended with operators facing critical manpower shortages. 
    A rise of infected people coupled with a drop in customers
due to stringent social distancing measures made it hard to
maintain operations, it said in a statement late on Wednesday.
    The city's subway operator, MTR Corp  0066.HK , said on
Thursday it would cut services on eight lines because of staff
shortages and a sharp drop in customers.
    "We have been striving to maintain train service despite the
worsening COVID-19 situation. However, the latest development of
the pandemic is affecting the manpower for daily operations," it
said on its website.
    Two ferry operators that ply the city's harbour between the
main island of Hong Kong and the Kowloon peninsula said they
would suspend services until further notice.
    ParknShop, one of the city's largest supermarket chains,
said it was shortening its operating hours for more than 200
outlets to protect its staff and customers. Some outlets would
close as early as 3 p.m., it said.
    Since the coronavirus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan 
in late 2019, the tally of infections in the former British
colony stands at more than 290,000, with a death toll of about
1,100.
    About 700 of those deaths have been in the past week, with
the majority unvaccinated people.
    Health experts from the University of Hong Kong estimated
about 1.7 million people had been infected as of Monday, with
the coming week expected to bring a peak of about 183,000 daily
infections.
        
    'VERY DAMAGED'
    There has been widespread confusion this week because of
mixed messages from authorities over whether a city-wide
lockdown would be imposed and the almost daily tweaking of
coronavirus rules.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2V502N
    Highlighting growing public frustration, prominent
businessman and government adviser Allan Zeman said Hong Kong's
international reputation had been "very damaged" and alarm had
been created by the confusing messages.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2V51Z0
    Supermarket and pharmacy shelves have been emptied daily by
anxious residents stocking up despite assurances from the
government that whatever type of lockdown is imposed, people
would be able to buy necessities.
    City leader Carrie Lam has said the government had no plan
for a "complete lockdown" while it conducts compulsory testing
of the city's 7.4 million residents. The government would
announce details of the plan when finalised, she said.
    Hong Kong has implemented its most draconian rules since the
pandemic began with international travel restricted, most venues
shut and a ban on public gatherings of more than two people.
    Many members of the public fear being forced to isolate and
separated from their families if they test positive, prompting
an exodus, particularly of expatriates.
    Some Western diplomats said the government had been
"refusing to engage" in recent weeks on coronavirus strategy and
compulsory testing, not replying to requests for clarification
on policy as the outbreak worsens.
    This was making it difficult for them to advise their
citizens what to do, they said.
    Restrictions mean very few international flights can operate
through Hong Kong but nevertheless more than 70,000 people left
the city in February, the most since the start of the pandemic,
according to government data.
    About 300 Swiss nationals are planning to leave on a charter
flight next week due, media reported. A spokesman for the Swiss
consulate said it was aware of the flight but could not provide
details. 

 (Reporting by Farah Master; Additional reporting by James
Pomfret, Greg Torode and Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Cynthia
Osterman)
 ((farah.master@thomsonreuters.com; +852 3462 7709;))