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Letters

Because the situation in the Philippines is different from that in India, a total ban on flights from the Philippines is not appropriate. What makes better sense is reducing the number of flights against transparent criteria and tightening possible loopholes during quarantine.
Although fighting the pandemic is important, a transparent, measured response would be far better than postponing decisions until the last minute.
Some domestic helpers have to travel from their provinces to Manila, which could be a time-consuming and costly trip. Without knowing in advance whether their booked flight would be called off, they do not know if they should go to Manila and thus be exposed to more risks.
The Hong Kong government should announce measures ahead of time and stick to the rules and criteria that have been announced. This will help everyone plan.
Professor Ho Lok Sang, Lingnan University




Perceived perfection must not stand in the way of good sense
Regarding the letter, “What is Hong Kong’s Covid-19 risk rating for the UK based on” (May 12), I am also puzzled by the excessive quarantine requirements for returning residents from the United Kingdom. In view of the substantial and impressive fall in UK cases, as well as preflight and post-arrival testing requirements, a 21-day quarantine makes no sense whatsoever.
Moreover, it is questionable whether the repeated, concentrated herding of returnees into hotels is appropriate and safe. When I return to Hong Kong soon, the Hong Kong community and I would be much safer if I was allowed to serve my time, alone, in my flat. The dangers of central air conditioning, food trays and similar avenues of transmission would be eliminated.
So can the government please share with us how the science justifies the current policy? Perhaps it is a case of officials allowing perceived perfection to stand in the way of a sensible solution.
The Hong Kong government’s initial quarantine management was world class. Sadly, today, it is broken.
Nigel Reid, Discovery Bay
Don’t forget children when setting quarantine rules
If the government wants to seriously encourage Hongkongers to get vaccinated, it needs to provide incentives that actually motivate people. While reducing a vaccinated adult’s quarantine is good, excluding children from this arrangement completely defeats the purpose.
It seems particularly illogical when those children are coming from very low-risk countries such as Australia or New Zealand. A very good petition has been started, laying out the reasons children of fully vaccinated adults should be allowed to do their final week of quarantine at home.
Annabelle Singaram, Pok Fu Lam


Outgoing CUHK head to focus on medical research, remain involved in academia

WHO implores China to share data, access to learn about Covid-19’s origins

How Hong Kong hospital engineer tackled ‘mission impossible’ on Covid ward

Hong Kong logs 3 deaths from 4 severe flu cases, low Covid activity uptick

Coronavirus Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s  ban on flights from the Philippines needs a rethink

Domestic helpers queue for Covid-19 testing at Chater Garden in Central on May 9. Photo: Nora Tam

In chasing zero Covid-19 infections, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and others have become trapped by their own success

Cyclists pass the Singapore Flyer Ferris Wheel attraction. Photo: AP

Members of the public sit at socially distanced intervals on a ledge in the financial district of Singapore. Photo: EPA

Hong Kong calling UK ‘very high risk’ at odds with vaccine evidence

An essential worker receives the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the International Centre for Life in Newcastle upon Tyne, northeast England, on January 9. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong coronavirus: spare jabbed UK returnees 21-day quarantine rule

An electronic signboard displays flights information in the arrival hall at Hong Kong International Airport April 20. Hong Kong is set to lift the ban on passenger flights from the UK this week. Photo: EPA-EFE

Coronavirus: Hong Kong labour minister defends Philippines flight ban in face of criticism; city confirms six new cases

A woman visits a Covid-19 testing centre outside the Immigration Department’s headquarters in Hong Kong on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Domestic workers gather in Central on their day off earlier this year. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Opinion


The government should announce measures ahead of time and stick to these rules and criteria to help everyone plan



The government should announce measures ahead of time and stick to these rules and criteria to help everyone plan.


Letters | Hong Kong’s ban on flights from the Philippines needs a rethink

The government should announce measures ahead of time and stick to these rules and criteria to help everyone plan