Hong Kong: Medical workers continue to strike February 5 /update 6

Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA) union continues strike on February 5 to demand the total closure of the border with mainland China; 18 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Hong Kong
Read all related news alert(s):
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Hong Kong: Authorities to announce relaxation of public gathering rules on May 5 /update 25
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Hong Kong: HK Express extends flight suspensions through June 18 due to COVID-19 /update 22
Hong Kong: Authorities extend social distancing measures until April 23 /update 21
Hong Kong: Government extends entry ban on non-residents April 6 /update 20
Hong Kong: Authorities enact stricter social distancing measures April 3 /update 19
Hong Kong: Authorities order additional venue closures for 14 days April 1 /update 18
Hong Kong: Government bans public gatherings from March 29 /update 17
Hong Kong: Government closes borders to all non-residents from March 25 /update 16
Hong Kong: Government orders mandatory home-quarantine for all travelers March 17 /update 15
Hong Kong: Mandatory quarantine for travelers from Europe and other countries March 17, 19 /update 14
Hong Kong: Mandatory quarantine for travelers from five countries March 10 /update 13
Hong Kong: Authorities introduce additional measures to contain COVID-19 spread March 1 /update 12
Hong Kong: Authorities bar non-resident arrivals from South Korea to contain COVID-19 spread February 25 /update 11
Hong Kong: Health official announces second coronavirus-related fatality February 19 /update 10
Hong Kong: Government extends school closures until March 16 due to COVID-19 /update 9
Hong Kong: Protests reported over quarantine center locations February 8-11 /update 8
Hong Kong: Government to place all mainland China arrivals into home quarantine due to 2019-nCoV February 5 /update 7
Hong Kong: First coronavirus (2019-nCoV) death recorded in Hong Kong February 4 /update 5
Hong Kong: Almost all border crossings with mainland China close February 3 /update 4
Hong Kong: Public health workers begin coronavirus-related strike February 3 /update 3
Hong Kong: Public transportation suspended as of January 30 due to coronavirus 2019-nCoV January 28 /update 2
Hong Kong: Authorities block residents of Hubei province from entering HKSAR January 26 /update 1
Hong Kong: Maximum health warning level implemented January 25
Event
The Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA) union continued their strike on Wednesday, February 5, demanding that government completely close the border to travelers entering Hong Kong from China. Striking medical workers are being asked to gather outside eight hospitals across Hong Kong from 14:00 until 18:00 (local time) on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, HAEA members gathered outside of the Chief Executive’s office in Admiralty in an attempt to meet with Chief Executive Carrie Lam. While Lam did not meet with the protesters, the group reportedly delivered a petition signed by tens of thousands of people demanding the border with China be closed. The union is also calling for the government to implement measures to ensure there is a sufficient supply of protective face masks for the population.
According to the HAEA, over 7000 members participated in similar demonstrations on Tuesday, February 4. Further strike actions are likely over the coming days. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are anticipated around all protest sites. Disruptions to medical services are possible at hospitals throughout Hong Kong during the strikes.
As of Wednesday morning, 18 cases of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) have been confirmed in Hong Kong, including one fatality. All border crossing points except the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, Shenzhen Bay Port, and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) have been closed by the authorities and further closures are possible over the near term.
Context
Chief Executive Lam implemented the maximum health warning level in Hong Kong on January 25 after the city reported five confirmed coronavirus (2019-nCoV) cases.
The first case of 2019-nCoV was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.
Cases of the virus have been confirmed in 24 countries worldwide besides China, as well as in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Human-to-human transmission has been confirmed in Germany, Japan, the US, and Vietnam. Virus screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the ongoing novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak is a "public health emergency of international concern."
Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.
Advice
Potentially impacted individuals are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel itineraries and consider rebooking options, if needed, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments. Individuals in Hong Kong are also advised to confirm doctor's appointments, to anticipate longer waiting times in medical facilities for the duration of the strike, and to avoid any protests.
Individuals are advised to take precautionary measures to reduce their risk of contracting the virus:
- Avoid all contact with animals (dead or alive); avoid eating animal products that are undercooked; avoid all markets where animals are sold
- Avoid all close contact with people displaying symptoms of the disease (e.g. difficulties breathing)
- Frequently wash hands, wear a face mask
- Individuals within China developing symptoms of pneumonia are advised to seek medical attention, avoid contact with other people, and wash hands regularly
- Adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments
- Travelers returning from China developing symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to avoid spreading the disease
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