Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam called for calm after residents emptied supermarkets, stocking up on produce ahead of reports of compulsory mass COVID-19 testing and rumors of a city-wide lockdown
Customers wearing masks shop in front of partially empty shelves at a supermarket during the coronavirus disease outbreak in Hong Kong, China February 28, 2022. REUTERS/Tyrone SiuHONG KONG, March 1 - Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam called for calm on Tuesday after residents emptied supermarkets, stocking up on produce ahead of reports of compulsory mass COVID-19 testing and rumours of a city-wide lockdown.
Lam appealed to the public "not to fall prey to rumours to avoid unnecessary fears being stirred," with the supply of food and goods remaining normal, according to a statement on Tuesday."There is no need for members of the public to worry, they should stay vigilant and pay attention to the information disseminated by the government so as to avoid being misled by rumours."
Exemptions would be made for those who buy food, seek medical treatment and maintain societal operations. Hong Kong's stock market would continue to operate, the paper said.The Chinese ruled city has seen coronavirus infections surge some 34 times to over 34,000 on Monday from just over 100 at the start of February. Deaths are also climbing, with facilities for storing dead bodies at hospitals and public mortuaries at maximum capacity.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Covid-19: One more Covid-related death and 1,908 casesThe total number of deaths linked to the virus reported by Stormont's Department of Health is 3,208.
Read more »
Covid-19: Three more Covid-related deaths and 1,552 casesThe total number of deaths linked to the virus reported by Stormont's Department of Health is 3,208.
Read more »
Hong Kong facilities for storing dead bodies stretched as COVID deaths climbHong Kong is struggling to keep pace with a record number of COVID-19 infections and deaths, eclipsing authorities attempts to control a deepening outbreak.
Read more »
Covid comes back to haunt Hong Kong - latest updatesLatest on the global Covid crisis: 🇭🇰 Covid comes back to haunt Hong Kong 🇨🇳 China sees surge in pandemic 🇧🇷 Brazil's death toll tops 750 For more:
Read more »
How sneezing hamsters sparked a COVID outbreak in Hong KongHamsters are only the second species known to have spread SARS-CoV-2 to humans.
Read more »
Patti LuPone Tests Positive for COVID-19, Will Miss Shows of ‘Company’The 72-year-old Broadway legend tested positive Saturday and later took to Twitter to confirm the diagnosis.
Read more »