In Hong Kong, where Omicron is spreading, 13 top officials have been quarantined at once. In violation of government recommendations, dozens of Hong Kong lawmakers and government officials gathered at a birthday party and sang without wearing a mask, and this is where the confirmed case came from.
Correspondent Jo Bo-kyung.
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The birthday party in question was held in Wan Chai, Hong Kong on the night of the 3rd.
It was a celebration of the birthday of Whitman Heng, one of the Hong Kong delegates of the National People’s Congress of China.
As two corona confirmed cases emerged, all 170 participants were quarantined for three weeks.
It is known that dozens of high-ranking officials and lawmakers, including ministerial-level Catherine Chui, secretary of civil affairs, were at the party.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam attended the party on the night of the 7th local time and announced that there were 13 top government officials in quarantine.
They said they would investigate whether they violated quarantine rules and consider disciplinary action.
Hong Kong authorities are advising people not to attend parties without masks.
However, photos of the attendees singing songs without wearing masks at the party went viral on social media.
Criticism of high-ranking officials violating quarantine rules is bound to grow.
Local media reported that the incident was damaging the credibility of the Carrie Lam administration.
In Hong Kong, intensive quarantine measures are in place, such as closures of bars and gyms due to the spread of the Omicron mutation.
(Screen source: YouTube SCMP)