John Lee to Decide Hong Kong's Pandemic Fate

Hongkongers are vaccinated enough to open to the world

Hong Kong's Covid-19 case numbers are rising again. Today it logged over 850 cases, but one of its government advisors on the pandemic says the city is in good shape to open up its borders.

Professor David Hui Shu-cheong of Chinese University says Hong Kong's high vaccination rates means it could be less strict about international arrivals -- perhaps shorter hotel quarantine times or even do away with it altogether -- but it depended on what incoming Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu had in mind.

Hui says Hong Kong is ready to open its borders

"Currently we have achieved reasonably high vaccination rates so we do have the capacity to reconnect with the outside world," he said. "However to a lot of people, opening the border with the mainland is also very important -- they have business there, they have families there -- so I think the new government has to renegotiate with the National Health Commission on the criteria for reopening the border and then work out from there."

Hui played down the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, saying it was not surprising since social-distancing measures have been relaxed. He added there are more people being vaccinated and the infected cases were mild.

So what will it be, Mr Lee? More strict quarantine measures till at least 2023, or finally opening up to the world to ramp up Hong Kong's economy?

Meanwhile incumbent leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor is so glad she doesn't have to deal with all of the frustrations around the pandemic, the constant arrests over the national security law, and having verbal jousts with reporters anymore -- she will finally be relieved of her duties on June 30.

Lam will be relieved of her duties in weeks

"Everything comes to an end. I feel greatly relieved... Whatever happens in Hong Kong after July 1 is none of my business, you can't imagine how relaxed I feel," she said.

While Lam can't leave fast enough, Hongkongers are dreading their next leader. 

Is it me, or is each successive July 1 seems gloomier than the previous one...